[jdelo]

We have a basement bathroom, the toilet drains directly to waste pipe. There is not an ejecter valve, the waste pipe is lower than the toilet.
The waste pipe has backed up and overflowed to the toilet 5-6 times over the past 3 years. It was snaked by a plumber each time. Initially we thought it was due to "baby wipes", we have since stopped using them. When it backed up again we had a plumber come in with a camera and no crack's or roots were visible. We thought this time was due to flooding in the area (We live in northern New Jersey on top of a hill but we had extreme floods that taxed the system). It has backed up 2-3 times since.
We have not received many options, some (not plumbers) have suggested a "butterfly valve", I do not see how this would stop the back ups, it would only stop the "street" waste from coming in. The back ups continue to happen between the house and the street.
Others have suggested removing the toilet and sink, I think this would just lead to back up/overflowing on the main floor.
Short of ripping up and replacing the waste pipe from the house to the street are there any other solutions? We are also the only ones in the neighborhood with this problem

[Milo Dolezal]

Tom, aka Speedball1, has "sewer relining" solution for you. He'll come here later and I am sure he'll be glad to share with you his positive sewer relining experience.

The back ups show in your basement toilet because it is the lowest fixture in the house. When sewer backs up and water column starts rising, it will show in the lowest plumbing fixture in your house. In your case, it is basement toilet.

I personally am against installing Back Flow Preventing Valves on sewer pipes. If the sewer backs up and closes the valve in the process - and you will continue using your house plumbing unaware of this situation - than you will end up with exactly the same sewer back up as w/o the valve. Perhaps, you could leave your clean out cap loose on top of your clean out stub out. In this case, if back up occurs, sewage will overflow to your garden, not your house.

Your back ups seem to occur with certain frequency. Looks like you are a good candidate for sewer replacement - provided, the problem is on your property. I would suggest to do Video Inspection first and thoroughly examine the sewer. It is a good investment. Cause of back ups should be clearly visible on the tape / DVD. Have several other plumbers to see the tape and give you their opinion to make sure sewer replacement is inevitable.

If the sewer replacement proves to be too cost prohibitive than you may consider installing clean out within 24" of the house. Use that clean out to snake you sewer line. Don't wait until it backs up. Do it preventively. Every 6 months - always before major holidays like T-giving and / or before the December Holiday Season. It should do the trick.

Let us know what you decided to do... Milo

[21boat]

It sounds like a venting problem from that toilet to the street. When the camera was put into the waste pipe did you happen to see a 2" pipe in the three inch soil/waste line which would be or should be a dedicated vent for that toilet
It totally sounds like slow venting and eventually it backs up. The 3" soil line from that toilet MUST have a 2" vent line within 5' of the closet flange/toilet If Not theres your problem. A check valve/ "flapper" is not to be pit on the sewer line to the street. Besides it wont work right anyhow. You need stronger pressure for that to "flap" shut. Do you see a 3" pipe in the lawn to the street which also helps vent the waste line and its really a clean out access but does help vent the main soil line to the street.
Check for that toilet soil line vent for that toilet. How does the other sinks and other drains work? If they are slow its defiantly a venting problem. Check this out and get back

Signed 21 Boat

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[KISS]

You seem to be describing "sewer overload". This happens to sewer systems, not necessarily yours, which have leaks in them. What happens, is when it rains, the sewer gets overloaded and cannot drain properly.

Being at the bottom of the hill, your going to take a hit.

You need to report the problem to the local sewer authority so they are aware of it. They may video the main lines at the street. They may need to be called when it's actually occurring.

It would be wise for you to install a back-flow preventer. Primarily because your at the bottom of a hill.

[Milo Dolezal]

You seem to be describing "sewer overload". This happens to sewer systems, not necessarily yours, which have leaks in them. What happens, is when it rains, the sewer gets overloaded and cannot drain properly.

Being at the bottom of the hill, your going to take a hit.

You need to report the problem to the local sewer authority so they are aware of it. They may video the main lines at the street. They may need to be called when it's actually occuring.

It would be wise for you to install a back-flow preventer. Primarily because your at the bottom of a hill.

KISS: he is on "...top of the hill..." not bottom.

[KISS]

Since it's top and not bottom, I'd go with the flow. Sewer re-lining after an inspection of the sewer in the street reveals nothing.

Sewer overload is still a possibility.

[Milo Dolezal]

To determine whether his back up problem is really connected to City sewer overload , I would talk to my neighbors. If they are experiencing similar problems than it may be so. If negative, than I would concentrate on sewer located on my property. Sewer Video Inspection would be my next step...