Hi All!
Due to a mis-diagnosis, a backwater valve under my driveway was removed by mistake. The contractor's camera footage made him think it was a break in the sewer line. I've shown it to several plumbers and all said they've never seen one before. A city DPW person/plumbing inspector said lots of houses in the area have them but he had no idea of age.
My only clue to the brand is that the hand wheel that was inside the basement has a banner with part of the word "Smith". It looks like the Smith logos I've noticed on floor drain covers. (Don't know if that is AO Smith or another company)
My only clue to age is that the valve is cast iron and the inlet pipe (building drain) is bell and spigot, leaded. The sewer is viterous clay.
The building is 125+ years old, but I don't know when the basement and plumbing were added.
I am curious if any of you recognize the name of the valve and how old it is.
Thanks!
Paul
PS:
How It Worked-
Inside the basement, through the wall, was a 1-1/2" galvanized pipe with a cap that had a hole in it. In the pipe was a 1/2" steel rod extending past the cap. There was a hand wheel on the rod. Turning the wheel turned the rod and the rod turned a large diameter brass screw inside the valve. Somehow that screw pushed a flap down and lifted it back up. (Parts are missing. Assumed to be rusted away)
Due to a mis-diagnosis, a backwater valve under my driveway was removed by mistake. The contractor's camera footage made him think it was a break in the sewer line. I've shown it to several plumbers and all said they've never seen one before. A city DPW person/plumbing inspector said lots of houses in the area have them but he had no idea of age.
My only clue to the brand is that the hand wheel that was inside the basement has a banner with part of the word "Smith". It looks like the Smith logos I've noticed on floor drain covers. (Don't know if that is AO Smith or another company)
My only clue to age is that the valve is cast iron and the inlet pipe (building drain) is bell and spigot, leaded. The sewer is viterous clay.
The building is 125+ years old, but I don't know when the basement and plumbing were added.
I am curious if any of you recognize the name of the valve and how old it is.
Thanks!
Paul
PS:
How It Worked-
Inside the basement, through the wall, was a 1-1/2" galvanized pipe with a cap that had a hole in it. In the pipe was a 1/2" steel rod extending past the cap. There was a hand wheel on the rod. Turning the wheel turned the rod and the rod turned a large diameter brass screw inside the valve. Somehow that screw pushed a flap down and lifted it back up. (Parts are missing. Assumed to be rusted away)
