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-   -   Sewer-line back water valves (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=261819)

  • Sep 18, 2008, 07:48 AM
    RKLinke
    Sewer-line back water valves
    HI,
    I have a 3 maybe 4 part question. I live in a house that is just about 70 years old; I am also the third generation in the house so I have all it’s history.
    First, I live in the area of Chicago that was pounded this weekend (9/14) with rain and once again I got water, not to bad but I had to remove the carpet and when I did even the paint that I had put down 15 years ago was bubbling up. I’m the only one left on my block that does not have some type of flood control, I have a pit in my basement that collects foundation water but nothing that is hook-up to the sewer line, so as the water backs up it comes into my sloop sink and I have a big pump that moves it to the back of the yard, the problem is, with all that water in the sewer line I get floor seepage.

    Ok now for my questions;

    1) How do I keep my sewer line clean, is there something I can do or buy that I can put into the line once a month to help keep it clean.
    2) Now that I have everything out of the basement it’s time to do something, I want to repaint the floor, is there a better paint product that will also seal the floor, I have scrapped all the old paint off and have bare concrete now.
    3) Last, I was looking at back water valves, like the Mainline Fullport Backwater Valve, it seems easy enough and the cost is far better then 10K to dig up my front lawn but will this work and help.
  • Sep 18, 2008, 07:56 AM
    ballengerb1
    Think how lucky you turned out, the expressways is still underwater and you are not. Painting even new concrete is not always going to last. Stores like Menards and Home Depot sell a 2 part epoxy kit for concrete floor, take ride over and read their info. You can also buy the same stuff at ACE made by Rust-oleum Ace floor needs to be clean, dry and etched so follow thie rdirections 100%. The floor and sewer check valves are the way to go. The Mainline system would work but check out these too. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attach...loodguard-.gif
  • Sep 18, 2008, 12:34 PM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    3) Last, I was looking at back water valves, like the Mainline Fullport Backwater Valve, it seems easy enough and the cost is far better then 10K to dig up my front lawn but will this work and help.
    Bob gave you a floor drain flood guard. However, if yo have other fixtures in the basement they won't be protected from flooding coming in from the street. To protect your entire house you must install a 4" sewer check valve,(see image) just after the sewer cleanout. This check valve would allow discharge to go out to the street main butwould stop any street backup from entering your home. Good luck, Tom
  • Sep 18, 2008, 01:25 PM
    RKLinke
    Thanks to both of you for such a quick reply, I have had the drain caped off for years and I still get, from time to time water, the problem is all the water under the foundation (I'm guessing) as the water rises in the slop-sink is when I get some seepage. If I use a check-valve, like the type you mention and locate it as close to the city sewer, inside my house this would keep that water from ever getting under my house, I still like the Mainline Fullport Backwater Valve as it is clear on top so I could see what's going on without opening it up.
  • Sep 18, 2008, 02:39 PM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    the problem is all the water under the foundation (I'm guessing) as the water rises in the slop-sink is when I get some seepage. If I use a check-valve, like the type you mention and locate it as close to the city sewer, inside my house this would keep that water from ever getting under my house,
    I don't think it's grond water that's getting in your slop sink. If you had ground water coming in under the foundation you would see water seeping out of the cracks in your floor and not the slop sink. If the street's flooded that means the water's higher then your basement slop sink and gravity will do the rest. The check valve will prevent that from happening. Good luck, Tom

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