Operation of floor drain float plug

Device commonly recommended to prevent sewage backup from a basement floor drain. When installed in the opening, it allows water to drain passively down but if water backs up, the float tends to rise and plug the opening, to prevent backups.
I added the following in response to questions: I bought the illustrated device in July 2003 after the floor drain in my basement backed up some sewage on a day when my city had 12 inches of rain fall in 24 hours. None of the plumbers or builders in my area were aware of any products that could have prevented this. I did a lot of internet research to inform myself. It turns out the name for this type of device is a "backwater valve" or "back water valve" Google it & you will find 1000's of links, many of them from municipal sewage system operators. This product may no longer be available, "Flow Guard" was the only name I knew it by. It looked like it should work, but I read many comments that as time passed, dirt, flecks of paint, etc, tend to clog the valve so that it will not close completely during a drain backup. It needs to be cleaned & inspected frequently. I learned of another device, a standpipe, which I thought would be more reliable for my purposes than a backwater valve, so I returned the Flow Guard to the store I bought it from. From one of my Google hits: "Standpipe Standpipes are lengths of pipe open at the top and screwed into an expandable rubber gasketed escutcheon within the floor drain. The height of the standpipe should be higher than the deepest flooding elevation experienced
within the basement. It will hold the [un]sanitary surcharge until it recedes.Standpipes are generally inexpensive, easy to install and help relieve pressure caused by back ups. However, using standpipes over 12 inches tall or capping a
standpipe may rupture sewer pipe joints under the basement floor. Also, the protruding pipes may be a trip hazard and basement floors drains cannot be used
until standpipes are removed. Special fittings may need to be used to connect a condensate drain to this" I bought the materials for $10 and installed it myself. I gave up many normal drain functions in my basement. I quit using the basement laundry sink. I rigged the drain pipe from my basement clothes washer & the condensate pipe from my basement dehumidifier to go into the top of the standpipe. I needed no special fittings besides galvanized wire. I installed a sump pump and directed the condensate from the central air system into it. For real emergency use, a floor drain plug can be screwed into the drain, but it has to be installed before the backup occurs, and it completely disables your drain until it is removed. The standpipe option preserves some of the drain's functions.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• FLOOR
• DRAIN
• FLOAT
• PLUG

[artfd]

Windy City - I read comments like yours when I first posted this video, which persuaded me not to try it. The device is prone to blockage by objects around its sealing surfaces I also think the rubber material of the float can become distorted over time and then it will not completely block the opening as it was designed to.

[TheWindyCity]

Actually, I had these in place in my two floor drains, and they don't really seal well. I still got six inches of water in my basement. You have to be sure to keep the top of the float clean by flushing water down the drain at least monthly. I was really disappointed that the device did not work, as I maintained my FloodGuard properly. I even stood in the water and pulled up on the float stem. Still would not seal well. So don't think this is fool proof. You'll need another method.

[TruthOrReligion]

For those who are asking, this thing is called a Flood Guard, not Flowguard. They cost about ten bucks and are made by the General Wire Spring company .

[NexusFX]

Did you have any flooding after installing either of these products?

[drewleiper]

They are called flood guards.

[probabilitydrive]

ArtFD, I have to echo BigRed and beg for some product details - like a product name and ID number. How do you spell "flowguard?" Just can't seem to find it on the web and I sure need one. Thanks.

[BigRedDog00]

Where do I get one of these! Can't find it anywhere on the web.