At the end of today s seminar you should be better. Recognize the causes of Sewer Lateral backup. Identify techniques to protect your home from

Transcription

1 Preventing Sewer Backups Presented by IAPMO

2 Today s Objectives At the end of today s seminar you should be better able to: Recognize the causes of Sewer Lateral backup Identify techniques to protect tyour home from Sewer Lateral backup IdentifyBackwater Valves Recognize the causes of Sewer Lateral Blockage or Collapse Identify techniques to protect your home from Sewer Lateral Blockage

3 Health and Safety Be careful when cleaning your basement! Floodwater may carry: Waterborne Diseases Corrosive Agents Irritants Sharp Objects Possibility of Electrical Accidents Dress appropriately

4 HOUSE PLUMBING

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6 WHY IS THERE A SEWER BACKUP IN MY BASEMENT? 6

7 Two Major Causes 1. Sewer Lateral Backup 2. Sewer Lateral Blockage or Collapse

8 What is a Sewer Lateral? 8

9 SEWER LATERAL BACKUP 9

10 What Causes Sewer Lateral Backup? When large volumes of water that are produced by major storms enter into the sewer lateral, the sewer lateral may back up (surcharge) and overflow. 10

11 Why does it flood my Basement? When the sewer lateral is surcharged, water backs up through the sanitary connection and flows out of the floor drain within the basement. Lower elevation residences, especially those without adequate backflow protection, are most at risk of experiencing sewer lateral backup. 11

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13 What does the UPC say? Fixtures installed on a floor level that is lower than the next upstream manhole cover of the public or private sewer shall be protected from back flow of sewage by installing an approved type of backwater valve. 13

14 How Do I Protect my house from Sewer Lateral Backup? Two techniques 1. Allow the water to back up through the connection and contain it (Containing) 2. Block the path of water at the sanitary connection (Blocking) 14

15 Technique 1: Containing the Water Temporary Standpipe pp 15

16 Technique 1: Containing the Water Concrete Dam 16

17 Technique 2: Blocking the Water Backwater Valve 17

18 What does the UPC say? Backwater valves must be accessible for inspection and repair Must be enclosed in a masonry pit fitted with an adequately sized removable cover. 18

19 BACKWATER VALVES 19

20 How does a Backwater Valve Work? A backwater valve is typically installed on the sewer lateral that connects the building to the public sewer in the street. A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to only go in one direction (out), preventing wastewater from entering your building during regular maintenance of the public sewer system or backups caused by storms. 21

21 How does a Backwater Valve Work? ve.com/products/fullport backwater valve.html 22

22 Where should a Backwater Valve be located? cleaning intoronto/sewer backwater valves/ 23

23 How is a Backwater Valve Installed? water valves.asp 24

24 Other Facts Backwater Valve and Manual Gate Valve 25

25 Other Facts Combination Floor Drain and Backwater Valve 26

26 SEWER LATERAL BLOCKAGE OR COLLAPSE 27

27 If your sewer lateral is blocked for any reason, your household waste has nowhere else to go and backs up into your building. Two common causes of blockage are: Disposal of cooking fats, oils and grease (FOG) down your drain, and; clogging from tree roots 28

28 Fat, Oil, and Grease Blockage Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are an expensive problem for sewer systems. Cooking grease coats pipelines similar to the way that fatty foods clog human arteries. The grease clings to the inside of the pipe lines, eventually causing complete blockage. 29

29 Fat, Oil, and Grease Blockage 30

30 Clogging from Tree Roots 31

31 If the sewer lateral is broken or collapsed, your sanitary waste and drainage cannot be effectively carried to the public sewer in the street. In this case, a plumber will have to dig up the sewer lateral land replace the broken portion. One way to determine if your sewer lateral is clogged or collapsed is to hire a plumber to do a TV inspection of the line using a small, remotely operated camera. 32

32 Avoiding Sewer Lateral Problems 1. Do not pour fats, oils and grease down your drain. 2. Plant trees several feet away from sewer laterals. 3. Keep your sewer lateral clear of roots by occasionally flushing a small quantity of copper sulfate crystals in a toilet. 4. Have a licensed plumber clean your sewer lateral at regular intervals. 5. Be careful when doing any type of digging or construction in your yard 33

33 Thank You QUESTIONS? 34

34 For More Information DC Water and Sewer Emergency Line (202) DC Water Office of Risk Management (202)