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    jdx's Avatar
    jdx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 26, 2008, 12:13 PM
    Sewer Clean-out Valve Relocation
    Hello,

    I recently had my sewer line replaced. Before the job I had the county locate the "clean out valve" which was situated in my front lawn about 3 feet from the concrete side walk.

    The plumbing company dug a 12 foot trench in the middle of my front lawn, tore out two sections of concrete in the side walk and replaced my sewer line with pvc pipe. However, they relocated my clean-out valve, moving it 18" inside the side walk which I need to replace. The valve top is not threaded, it just sits on top the pipe.

    Have you ever seen a clean-out valve located in a concrete side walk? Is it possible that that violates a building code?

    Could the valve be set up to work in that location so that removal of the top is possible?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 26, 2008, 04:44 PM
    That is not a valve, more likely a simple clean out but it should be on your property. I think the sidewalk is beyond your lot line so you might check the house survey. "18" inside the side walk which I need to replace" is someone telling you that it must be moved? If it's the county call your plumber and tell him he has a problem. He is not allowed to walk away from a job if there is a governmental entitiy taking issue with the work. Its his problem to fix it to code.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #3

    May 26, 2008, 04:55 PM
    Personally I would want it nearer my home but no it can not be "in the sidewalk area) it has to be on your property not on the city right of way and not in the side walk at all.
    jdx's Avatar
    jdx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    May 27, 2008, 12:54 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1
    That is not a valve, more likely a simple clean out but it should be on your property. I think the sidewalk is beyond your lot line so you might check the house survey. "18" inside the side walk which I need to replace" is someone telling you that it must be moved?? If its the county call your plumber and tell him he has a problem. He is not allowed to walk away from a job if there is a governmental entitiy taking issue with the work. Its his problem to fix it to code.
    The sidewalk is definitely not my property but it's my understanding that all property owners are responsible for maintaining walkways in front of their house.

    The county worker only located my clean-out. No one told me to relocate it.

    The plumber just screwed up and he covered the pipe with a big mound of dirt and told me to wait a couple months until the trench settled. I didn't like that advise so I leveled my front yard and cleared the pipe. It took me about 3 weeks and I realized yesterday that the clean-out was in the side walk.

    Today I'll speak to the plumber and hopefully he'll relocate that pipe inside my property.

    Thanks for the response, it was helpful.
    jdx's Avatar
    jdx Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    May 27, 2008, 12:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck
    personally I would want it nearer my home but no it can not be "in the sidewalk area) it has to be on your property not on the city right of way and not in the side walk at all.
    That's helpful information. Thank you.
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