The residents of the apartments on the first floor, especially in old houses, have one particular nightmare - sewage draining from the toilet bowl or the bathroom on the floor. This problem should be solved by the operating companies, but more often than not the case is limited to one-time cleanings, which in the case of slagged cast-iron pipes are ineffective, and replacement of the entire house sewage system has to wait for years. But I want to sleep peacefully and go on vacation today. Secure your apartment from flooding by using a check valve for sewage.
Device and characteristics
Check valve is a device that blocks the flow of sewage water back to the apartment. At the same time, all drains from the toilet, sink and other appliances pass through it unhindered. An additional advantage is that the rodents inhabiting the sewer can not penetrate the valve.
The valve has an inlet and outlet nozzles. Inside it is a balloon with air, if the water will rise from the sewer, it will press on the membrane, which will block the chamber inside the valve, and the path of the liquid will be blocked. Additionally, the valve( for example, before a long trip) can be closed by using a valve, while drains from the apartment will not go to the sewer either. For cleaning and maintenance of the valve, a hole is provided in its housing, closed with a lid. Valves differ in diameter: from 50 mm for installation under a sink or the washing machine, to 110, intended for installation in фановые pipes. The device is selected based on the size of the pipes into which they will be installed. Modern check valves produce from polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride, as well as plumbing pipes.
Valve installation: space, rules and finenesses
The apartment can be fitted with a single large capacity check valve directly in front of the fan pipe or several small ones for each sanitary appliance. The second option can be used if installing a valve with a diameter of 110 mm in a close toilet is not possible, so this is a rather cumbersome construction.
The valve is easiest to install in the sewer system of the apartment during repair, but it is possible and in a working system. The place for it should be chosen so that there is an opportunity of access for regular( once a year) maintenance. Before installing the device, you need to check its tightness and the availability of the necessary adapters.
Before installation, you need to notify the plumbing of the service organization and cut off the water in the entrance, and also warn the tenants that you can not use the sewer system for a certain time. Work should be carried out as quickly as possible, since the riser can remain without sewerage for more than 2 hours.
The check valve itself should be located only horizontally. The water flowing through the valve must coincide with the arrow on its housing, that is, the arrow should point to the collector or riser - this is the guarantee of proper operation.
If there is noise during operation, this may indicate a violation of the integrity of the damper or the debris falling under it. It is necessary to open the lid and clean the valve or change the flap, as this damage makes the valve unable to cope with its task.
The valve for the sewer is not a panacea, it is good as a temporary measure. Sewage will rise higher, flood the neighbors from above, and seep through the ceiling in the worst case scenario. With regular sewer obstructions, it is necessary to seek expertise and work on its major repair or replacement. If the problem is in the neighbors from the top, constantly lowering the hygiene means, packets and other large garbage in the toilet, and explanations do not help, then installing the check valve will be of great help.
