When the Hillsborough River runs high, some Temple Terrace homes see sewage come back up through the lowest drain in the house: a tub, a shower, a floor drain. That is a different problem from a clogged line, and it needs a different fix. Here is what a backwater valve does, what a cleanout does, and who handles what.
Why Flooding Can Push Sewage Backward
The river is the city's main flood source, according to its Flood Awareness page. On the FEMA flood map, about 13.6% of the sampled points in Temple Terrace fall in a special flood hazard area. During Hurricane Milton the river at Morris Bridge crested at 38.16 feet on October 12, 2024, a record there. Heavy rain can overload the sewer and push flow backward toward the lowest openings. The city notes that its storm drains take rainwater only, so anything in the sanitary system is a separate matter.
Two Devices That Get Confused
| Feature | Backwater valve | Cleanout |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A one-way flap installed in the sewer line that closes when flow reverses | A capped access pipe that lets a plumber run a cable or camera into the line |
| What it does | Blocks sewage from coming back into the house from the street side | Gives access to clear a stoppage or inspect the line |
| What it cannot do | Clear a clog in your own pipe, or keep floodwater out through doors | Stop a backward flow on its own |
| Upkeep | The flap and its access cover need periodic inspection | The cap must be present and seated |
A cap is not flood protection. It seals an opening, but it was not designed to hold back a surcharged main. An open or missing cap creates an extra low opening at the yard.
What a Backwater Valve Cannot Fix
- It does nothing for a clog on your side of the valve.
- While it is closed, water you run in the house has nowhere to go. Do not flush, shower or run the washer during a surcharge or the house will fill from your own use.
- A valve with debris stuck in the flap can hold open when it should close, which is why an inspection matters.
Whether a particular home needs one is a question for the city. Model plumbing codes include a backwater-valve concept for fixtures set below a certain level; we have not confirmed Florida's exact wording, so we will not quote a section number. Ask City Building & Permitting at 813-506-6470 whether your address and project trigger it, and whether the work needs a permit.
Who Fixes What
- Sewage at a manhole or in the street, or several houses at once: the utility. For City of Temple Terrace sewer, use the after-hours line, 813-506-6590. If your home is on Tampa sewer, the Tampa emergency line is 813-247-3451; for the county, 813-744-5600.
- A backup only in your house: a plumber. Drain cleaning with a camera shows whether the stoppage is in your branch lines or farther out.
- Installing a valve or adding a cleanout inside the house or at an accessible point: plumbing work.
- Digging up the lateral in the yard to reach a valve: a licensed underground utility contractor. We do not do sewer excavation.
- Floodplain work on a property: a permit; Public Works/Engineering is at 813-506-6570.
After the Water Drops
Once the river or the street line recedes, do not assume the house line is fine. Silt and debris can settle in a line that has been under pressure from the wrong direction. A camera run shows whether the line is clear, whether a section has shifted, and whether the cleanout cap and any valve flap are intact. Getting that footage before the next storm is worth more than getting it after. It also gives you a record to show the utility if the stoppage turns out to be on their side.
What to Do During a Backup
Stop all water use. Keep people and pets away from the affected drain. Do not pour chemical cleaner into a backed-up line; it will not reach a main-line problem, and a plumber working on it afterward faces the chemical. Take photos for any claim or utility report. Then call the right number from the list above. If the backup comes with water entering the house, treat it as an emergency plumbing repair and shut the main water valve.
Lower ground, such as Temple Terrace Riverside at about 27.5 feet of elevation at the plat center, deserves more attention than higher plats. Our Temple Terrace cost guide lists typical backup ranges: $250–$700.
Sewer backing up right now?
Stop running water, keep everyone out of the affected area and call. If the whole street is affected, we will point you to the utility line as well.
CALL 813-733-7188Backwater Valve and Cleanout Questions
No. A cap seals an access pipe; it is not a flood device. If the main surcharges, a sealed cleanout might hold, but a missing or loose cap becomes the lowest opening. A backwater valve is the device built to resist reverse flow.
It depends on the house and the line, and whether you are in the floodplain. Ask City Building & Permitting about requirements, then have a plumber inspect the line. We do not dig; excavation goes to a licensed underground utility contractor.
Start with the utility that serves your address. For City of Temple Terrace sewer, use 813-506-6590 after hours. Call a plumber too if drains inside your house are affected, since the two problems can overlap.
No. The valve blocks flow in both directions during a surcharge, so water you run has nowhere to go and can back up inside your own house. Wait until the street line drains and the utility says it is clear.