Probably one of the smartest and safest investments that a homeowner can make when
it comes to preventative maintenance!
In some areas that Draincom prodessionals have worked in where a new
home is being build within a certain distance to a lake it is actually mandatory to have
this fitting installed.
The water table reaches far beyond the shoreline, you just don't see
it.
The first place a surge of water due to heavy rains or thaws or maybe a backup in the
city main is going to show up will be in your sanitary sewer line which of course means a
surprise flood in the homeowners basement.
This fitting is designed to act as your main
cleanout as well as a gate to protect your home. It has a clear removable lid which should
be accessible at all times. In the event of a sewer line which enters the home at a very
low level but is required to be at that elevation to pick up a long run to the back of the
house ( perhaps a bathroom or laundry location in the basement ) and you must maintain
the proper grade to pass inspection, the outer casing which is supplied will allow you to
install this backflow prevention fitting and still allow it to be accessible at finished floor
level through the removable lid it provides.
These fittings should be checked periodically
throughout the year simply to ensure they are still in proper working order. In the past
sanitary and storm sewer mains where combined out at the street and in the event of
flash flooding, were not meant to handle the load, thereby flooding out basements.
When installed correctly the water is stopped before it enters your building drain, however,
continued use of your plumbing system when the preventer is activated will result with
a very minor show of water more than likely at the floor drain since it is the lowest open
connection to the line.
This will let you know that the sewer line is blocked and should
now be addressed.
Probably one of the smartest and safest investments that a homeowner can make when
it comes to preventative maintenance!
