 
Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts
Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by: 
|
|
Author:
paulauryn (VA)
Hi,We recently had what the emergency plumber called a "soft" blockag in our main line to our septic tank that caused a back up from that point into and through our toilets on the first level. He cleared the blockage and ran a camera checking to ensre the line was not damaged which it was not. Our insurance company would not be thrilled with another claim should we encounter another backup so I was wondering if there was an inexpensive way to prevent a backup into our home again?
We are on a septic system that is maintained and pumped per guidelines every 5 years. This is the first incident we have had in our 15 years in our home. The main line access port is on my rear patio. I heve removed the screw on cover and place it upside donas a temporary fix should there be another back up but I know this is not a long term solution.
I know there are back flow preventers for public main lines but was unsure if there were for septic systems and the emergency plumber was not sure either. Any help is appreciated.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
A "backflow preventer" will do nothing to prevent a "flood" because it is to keep other people's sewage out of your house. You problem is your own sewage, so all a bfp would do is CAUSE the overflow if it malfunctioned.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
packy (MA)
if the camera inspection found no bellies nor any other defects then there should be no more backups for many years (if at all).
any sort of backflow device will not help and also requires periodic maintenance. in that case you might as well snake the pipe regularly since you have an easy access cleanout.
Edited 1 times.
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
|
Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
Much depends on the size of your tank, and what the family flushes into the septic system. Septic education is paramount. If you "only" had a rare soft blockage, yes, it could happen again, depending on what the soft blockage consisted of. Is your septic system working as design?
I would not recommend any type backflow preventer. I will/can provider some resistance to the flow process and cause more soft blockages.
Your plumber had the best vantage to any issues as they were there, onsite, to see any possible issues.
Best Wishes
|
|
Post Reply
|
Please note:
- Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
- Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
- Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
- Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.
Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:
Special thanks to our sponsor:
|