Back in January Brent asked the following question:

Tom,
Thanks for the quick reply... yes that is what I've found.

Do I need to purchase one of these and install this over the pipe?

Would it be better to purchase a PVC or Cast Iron bell trap? The pipe is Cast Iron.

Also there is a 1.5 inch pipe that come into the bowl from the side, could this bell trap be modified to accept this additional 1.5 inch pipe - I do not know what this additional pipe is for.

Brent

I, too, seem to have a bell trap drain in my 1965 era basement. However, as far as I know, the cast iron drainage line into which the badly oxidized bell trap drains only carries rainwater to my septic well, no sewage of any kind. I understand from reading this forum that bell trap drains are insufficient to keep out methane and other sewer gases from the basement. What about when the lateral lines only carry water?

We threw out the falling apart drain cover several years ago and are now looking for an inexpensive way to replace it.

Thanks.

Is it connected to the septic system?

No. The main sanitary line exits the house a good four feet above the basement floor.

If you have no septic water it may be OK, but I would guess that even rainwater can go bad in a septic tank.