[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Risuli

Interesting. The sewer backflow prevention valve in my former (up North) home was located in the sewer clean out access and could be replaced from there if need be. I haven't attempted to open my clean out access here which is located about 2 feet from the front of my home. I would have thought such a valve would be a requirement to prevent flooding of sewage into the home.

From the Florida code. I suspect that your house up North may have had a basement?

714.1 Sewage backflow.

Where plumbing fixtures are installed on a floor with a finished floor elevation below the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer, such fixtures shall be protected by a backwater valve installed in the building drain, or horizontal branch serving such fixtures. Plumbing fixtures installed on a floor with a finished floor elevation above the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer shall not discharge through a backwater valve.

Exception: In existing buildings, fixtures above the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer shall not be prohibited from discharging through a backwater valve.

[Rainger99]

What is a clean out pipe?

Is it something that should be cleaned out or maintained on a regular schedule? Or is it there for when the sewage pipes back up and I call a plumber?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

What is a clean out pipe?

Is it something that should be cleaned out or maintained on a regular schedule? Or is it there for when the sewage pipes back up and I call a plumber?

The cleanout pipe is for use by a plumber when you have a clogged drain pipe. However, some plumbers will remove a toilet to access the drain instead of using the cleanout in the front yard. This is because the cleanout is often buried under the surface and it cannot be found. Also, some clogs are located upstream of the cleanout.

[Risuli]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

From the Florida code. I suspect that your house up North may have had a basement?

714.1 Sewage backflow.

Where plumbing fixtures are installed on a floor with a finished floor elevation below the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer, such fixtures shall be protected by a backwater valve installed in the building drain, or horizontal branch serving such fixtures. Plumbing fixtures installed on a floor with a finished floor elevation above the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer shall not discharge through a backwater valve.

Exception: In existing buildings, fixtures above the elevation of the manhole cover of the next upstream manhole in the public sewer shall not be prohibited from discharging through a backwater valve.

Ahh, I see. Yes, in the "up North" home the clean out/back flow valve was located in the basement. So, from your post I guess the idea is you don't need a back flow prevention valve if the sewer manhole is below the home floor elevation as the sewage SHOULD back up via the manhole before entering the home. Thx.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The cleanout pipe is for use by a plumber when you have a clogged drain pipe. However, some plumbers will remove a toilet to access the drain instead of using the cleanout in the front yard. This is because the cleanout is often buried under the surface and it cannot be found. Also, some clogs are located upstream of the cleanout.

Thanks for clarifying that!