Sewer backflow valve - cost/suggestions?
Anyone have experience in having a sewer backflow valve installed? I have lived through several basement disasters over the years and would like to obviate the risk in my soon to purchased new house. I have read of several designs/schemes but don’t know what’s used here in NYC. Thanks. Gary
Anyone have experience in having a sewer backflow valve installed? I have lived through several basement disasters over the years and would like to obviate the risk in my soon to purchased new house. I have read of several designs/schemes but don’t know what’s used here in NYC.
Thanks.
Gary
OP here. BklynJace – who did you use to install the valve? Is it inside or outside?
Thanks.
Gary
I’m not the OP but the other poster… how did they put the valve in? Do they dig up your cellar floor or put it somewhere out in the street/sidewalk? Thanks for posting… it’s good to know it might actually work.
I’m not the OP but the other poster… how did they put the valve in? Do they dig up your cellar floor or put it somewhere out in the street/sidewalk? Thanks for posting… it’s good to know it might actually work.
I’m not the OP but the other poster… how did they put the valve in? Do they dig up your cellar floor or put it somewhere out in the street/sidewalk? Thanks for posting… it’s good to know it might actually work.
The toilet/sink/tub in our finished English basement used to turn into geysers during major summer storms. We’d have to have carpets cleaned/replaced, but worse was feeling a sense of dread every time we knew rain was in the forecast. Had a backflow valve put in more than a year ago and it’s virtually eliminated the problem — a minor backup during an absolute downpour once. (Knock wood.)
I do have a plumber open up the access and check the valve before each storm season to make sure all’s well. Are there other things I should be doing to keep things in good shape? The backflow valve has practically paid for itself already — I’m grateful for it.
I guess maybe you have to have gone through it to know how good it would feel to know it would never happen again! I too have been looking into getting one put in (was gonna call master plumber, too). When we had the place inspected we were told it might be a problem. It’s only been 3 months here for us, and so far it only backed up thanks to the contractor plugging everything up with grout. We DO have a manual shutoff valve (what tipped off the inspector) and that helped, and allowed the liquid to drain… but it wasn’t nice getting to it! REALLY in this case a backflow valve is a bad idea?
Thanks for the feedback Master Plumber. Nonetheless, I have lived in 7 brownstones in NYC during the last 10 years. Every single one of them backed up seriously at least once during my residence. I am spending some real money renovating the finished basement in this house and cannot stomach the thought of ripping this out after our next annual “storm of the century”.
Do you ever see these around town? Numerous new designs claim to be less maintenance.
What about a manual shutoff valve? Not perfect, but perhaps a way to sleep a little better (while at home that is).
Thanks again.
My advice is to not have one installed unless you know the house has a problem or a history of sewer backups.
The backflow or check valves you’re talking about often create as many problems as they solve.
They are a restriction in the pipe and require periodic maintenance which no one ever does.