Backup.. backup?
So I was mentioning earlier that it would have been nice to actively blog about our house hunting and house reno experience, but did not have the time.
One thing I would like to add that I had not experienced before was a sewer backup. When we saw the renovations downstairs, the contractors added a back flow valve. I figured that it would prevent any potential sewer backup into our house. Nice to have seeing as we were on a ravine.
Now what I did not realize was that these back flow valves are best when there is a sudden and acute backup of the system. However, if there is a chronic blockage, the back flow valve.. it does nothing!
When the inspector came by to look at the house, we ran the water, flushed the toilets, etc. Everything looked fine. Of course, the house was not lived in for many, many months. In addition, the house next to us was vacant during that time too.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. We noticed that the toilet was not flushing well, we were hearing some bubbling sounds, and an awful smell from the back flow valve. I had the contractors look into it, but they couldn't find any blockages.
A bit over a week ago, some of the stuff in the drain backed up into the basement. Not much, but enough to cause some alarm. I was thinking of calling in the city to check it out, but I decided to call in a drain specialist and they sent in a camera. He found a blockage about 50' down from the back flow valve. This was a bit further than his 50' auger could reach and I was informed to call the city to fix as the blockage was on city property.
The next day the city came over and cleared out the drain all the way to the main. There was crap everywhere. It was.. not a sight to behold. It was definitely a smell to avoid. We spent the night cleaning up.
Apparently the city worker said that this will probably happen again in about four years. In addition, our neighbor's plumbing links with ours just before the blockage. How could they not have noticed? Apparently we might be a little lower in elevation..
Back flow valve or not, it's time to buy sewer backup insurance.
One thing I would like to add that I had not experienced before was a sewer backup. When we saw the renovations downstairs, the contractors added a back flow valve. I figured that it would prevent any potential sewer backup into our house. Nice to have seeing as we were on a ravine.
Now what I did not realize was that these back flow valves are best when there is a sudden and acute backup of the system. However, if there is a chronic blockage, the back flow valve.. it does nothing!
When the inspector came by to look at the house, we ran the water, flushed the toilets, etc. Everything looked fine. Of course, the house was not lived in for many, many months. In addition, the house next to us was vacant during that time too.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. We noticed that the toilet was not flushing well, we were hearing some bubbling sounds, and an awful smell from the back flow valve. I had the contractors look into it, but they couldn't find any blockages.
A bit over a week ago, some of the stuff in the drain backed up into the basement. Not much, but enough to cause some alarm. I was thinking of calling in the city to check it out, but I decided to call in a drain specialist and they sent in a camera. He found a blockage about 50' down from the back flow valve. This was a bit further than his 50' auger could reach and I was informed to call the city to fix as the blockage was on city property.
The next day the city came over and cleared out the drain all the way to the main. There was crap everywhere. It was.. not a sight to behold. It was definitely a smell to avoid. We spent the night cleaning up.
Apparently the city worker said that this will probably happen again in about four years. In addition, our neighbor's plumbing links with ours just before the blockage. How could they not have noticed? Apparently we might be a little lower in elevation..
Back flow valve or not, it's time to buy sewer backup insurance.
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