Back flow valve in basement

[jonesy]

Hi all,

My house is older ('60's) Once a few years ago the sewer backed up. It was horrible. It hasn't happened in years, but I in the back of my mind I wonder when it will happen again. I suspect the city caused it. They were working on all the main sewer lines in the area at the time.
Do modern houses have backflow valves in the main sewer line?
Does anyone know a plumber that can come take a look and possibly add one?

Thanks.

[toonmaster]

I have one, came with the house and was installed by the previous owner. House is a 1950s build. I don't have answers to your questions but will offer my experience.

I found it depends what causes the backup. We had roots in our sewer line, downstream of the valve, and as the line backs up the valve doesn't help in this case as there is no force to close the valve, the line just fills with waste from your house. When the liner guys came to put a new liner in my sewer line, they serviced the valve and said it should be serviced on a yearly basis to ensure it is working properly (I don't have it serviced).

I suspect the previous owner put the valve in as the house sits at a low point on the block and the sewer line would be susceptible to backflow from the sewer main. In this case the backflow would have force to trigger the valve and stop sewer waste from the mainline back flowing into the house.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Hi all,

My house is older ('60's) Once a few years ago the sewer backed up. It was horrible. It hasn't happened in years, but I in the back of my mind I wonder when it will happen again. I suspect the city caused it. They were working on all the main sewer lines in the area at the time.
Do modern houses have backflow valves in the main sewer line?
Does anyone know a plumber that can come take a look and possibly add one?

Thanks.

I believe it is code today. And for the price, why not. Not going to move the needle much on the price of a new house.

Installing one in an existing house isn't all that much I don't think. Not sure the price but would guess around $2k. Installing one may even give you a discount on your home insurance premium.

With the incredibly unpredictable weather we get, it's a good idea. Along with hardy board for siding and rubber shingles.

[GomerPile]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Installing one in an existing house isn't all that much I don't think. Not sure the price but would guess around $2k. Installing one may even give you a discount on your home insurance premium.

Get several quotes, it can vary wildly depending on where, how much concrete is above it, floor to be replaced, etc etc etc. We had to replace one in an older rental and it was 3 days of work, lots of jack hammering/sawing and concrete work. I think it was in around 2-3k all said and done and I had a friend do it for me and I helped. Some quotes we had were 6-8k.