We have a cast iron basement floor drain with no valve to prevent backflow. Can you put such a valve in an iron pipe and, if so, would I have to go to a plumbing specialty store to get one? The ones at Home Depot are only meant for plastic pipe. If I have to convert to plastic, what is the best way to do this?
Thanks,
Don Wigle

Please explain the Home Depot check valve. Is it made for floor drains or just for pipe? Cheers, Tom

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply. A staff person at Home Depot said that their valves (different diameters but mostly 4") are intended for insertion in ABS or similar plastic floor drain pipe.
Don

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply. A staff person at Home Depot said that their valves (different diameters but mostly 4") are intended for insertion in ABS or similar plastic floor drain pipe.
Don

This is why big box salesmen aren't out doing plumbing. Floor drains are mostly 2" and the check valve you describe, ( providing you could get it in 2") would force you to take up the cement and install it downstream from the floor drain.
If a back up concerned me I would just take a rubber ball and remove the floor drain strainer and jam that ball down the drain opening. That way the floor drain would be sealed but still usable. Simple huh? Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom - that is what I will try until I find a better solution (if ever!)
Best regards,
Don

Thanks Tom - that is what I will try until I find a better solution (if ever!)
Best regards,
Don

Hey Don I ran into a floor drain flood protector at; http://www.plumbingsupply.com/floodguard.html
Check it out. Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom - I picked up one of those valves locally and installed it in about 2 minutes! I was able to get one 3" diameter that just fit into our old cast iron drain pipe.
Best regards,
Don