Joined
·
4 Posts
It is fairly rusted and could be linked to my sump pump, which never runs, and that would explain all the rust...I probably should change it to prevent sewer gas from coming in basement?
![]()
![]()
Is this a backflow valve?
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Joined
·
4 Posts
Joined
·
3,838 Posts
Backwater valve.
That's because your lowest floor is below the level of the nearest manhole. If the city were to back up, it would end up in your house instead of the street without that valve.
If the check moves freely and the mating surface of the check and the valve body look smooth, I wouldn't worry about changing it. The ones we put in are plastic, so i'm not sure if you'd have access to the exact same model that you have there. If you were to get a different model, it may change the dimension, and cause you to have to get the jackhammer out.
Which direction is the slope of the pipe going?
That's because your lowest floor is below the level of the nearest manhole. If the city were to back up, it would end up in your house instead of the street without that valve.
If the check moves freely and the mating surface of the check and the valve body look smooth, I wouldn't worry about changing it. The ones we put in are plastic, so i'm not sure if you'd have access to the exact same model that you have there. If you were to get a different model, it may change the dimension, and cause you to have to get the jackhammer out.
Which direction is the slope of the pipe going?
Joined
·
4 Posts
Thx for the quick reply. 
It definitely looks like a 4 inch pipe, although it is difficult to tell precisely without digging a bit...My house is above the nearest manhole, although the pipe is 10 feet below grade.. I should mention that I have a flat roof. House was built 1979.
I have two of these, seems to concur with your answer.
Do you know how much a newer model could cost?
I wonder if I could just get by with some silicone to prevent sewer gas from coming in the house, my sump pump never worked and I highly doubt that water could back up into the house considering the general topography of the land here.
It definitely looks like a 4 inch pipe, although it is difficult to tell precisely without digging a bit...My house is above the nearest manhole, although the pipe is 10 feet below grade.. I should mention that I have a flat roof. House was built 1979.
I have two of these, seems to concur with your answer.
Do you know how much a newer model could cost?
I wonder if I could just get by with some silicone to prevent sewer gas from coming in the house, my sump pump never worked and I highly doubt that water could back up into the house considering the general topography of the land here.
Joined
·
3,838 Posts
It's not for sewer gas. That's what your traps and your venting system are for. It's to prevent raw sewage from backing up into your house.
Is the lowest floor of your house below the nearest upstream manhole? Are you sure that one is for your sump? Is it actually a sump, or is it a sewage ejector for the basement? Normally a sump or sewage ejector discharge is 2" not 4"
Is the lowest floor of your house below the nearest upstream manhole? Are you sure that one is for your sump? Is it actually a sump, or is it a sewage ejector for the basement? Normally a sump or sewage ejector discharge is 2" not 4"
Joined
·
4 Posts
I understand what it is for, however, if it isn't sealed properly sewage gas would come into the house.
You are correct that the sump pump is connected with 2'' pipes, which confuses me as to why this pipe is 4 inch.
I have a downspout from flat roof which must never be blocked...which leads me to think that is the reason why I have two backwater valves...I think the sump pump 2inches pipes connect to this one and also a unused drain opening (for eventual shower) in basement bathroom.
Maybe it is a 3inch pipe?
You are correct that the sump pump is connected with 2'' pipes, which confuses me as to why this pipe is 4 inch.
I have a downspout from flat roof which must never be blocked...which leads me to think that is the reason why I have two backwater valves...I think the sump pump 2inches pipes connect to this one and also a unused drain opening (for eventual shower) in basement bathroom.
Maybe it is a 3inch pipe?
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
