Problematic drain connection between garage and house
7/1/2016 at 3:55:09 PM
While looking for the source of phorid flies in our house, we discovered that a floor drain in our garage is connected to a pipe which connects to the main drain in our basement bathroom. We know that his pipe is and will be vulnerable to damage from the roots of a big tree. But, due to a running trap, we have no way to inspect or repair this drain, especially where is enters the house except by excavating 4 ft down outside or breaking up the bathroom floor.
If we keep/ repair this drain, how can we make it so that it is accessible for inspection? If we cap it off, we will be left with a "dead pipe" which could end up harbouring these horrible flies. How can we insure that we could have access to this capped off pipe?
7/1/2016 at 7:44:40 PM
Hi Linda,
The best thing to do in this situation is to find a local plumber that has video inspection capabilities (there should be lots). This is the cheapest , most reliable way to diagnose any issues without having to dig up your yard.
You'll want to use somebody that will show you the actual footage - it's almost always apparent even to the untrained eye whether or not there is an issue - it should raise red flags if your provider does not want you to see the actual video.
Hope this helps!
7/1/2016 at 10:25:39 PM
Sorry, but we have already had 3 video inspections of our sewer drains, looking for damage. (Phorid flies breed around broken sewer drains.)
With the 3rd inspection, a camera was put down the garage floor drain. It went only as far as the trap. The drain beyond the trap cannot be seen. Since this is close to the area of infestation, we have to excavate.
I am talking about a set up which can't be inspected by a camera ... we have to do something about it. Someone suggested moving the trap close to the floor drain, Then we would have to have a clean-out beyond that which would accommodate a camera and allow access to the pipe.
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