Find it and open it
Look for a flush cover, round or square, in the basement concrete, close to where the main exits through the front foundation. The cover may be under a rug or a removable floor panel. Lift the cover and, if there is a clear inspection lid, unscrew it by hand.
What to look for
- The flap moves freely and returns to its normal open position
- No paper, wipes or grease caught on the hinge or seat
- The float, if your model has one, is not cracked or waterlogged
- The O-ring on the lid is in good condition
Cleaning steps
- Wear gloves and eye protection; this is sewage plumbing.
- Run no water upstairs while the lid is open.
- Remove debris from the body with a gloved hand or a scraper.
- Gently move the flap through its range.
- Pour a bucket of clean water through to flush.
- Replace the lid and tighten by hand so it seals.
If the lid is seized or the flap is damaged, stop and call. Forcing it can crack the valve body.
When to call us
Call if the flap is stuck, broken or missing, if you smell sewage near the lid, or if water appears around the access box. Our backwater valve page explains installations and repairs.
Handbook
When to put the tools down
Some of this is homeowner work and some is not. Stop and phone us if you see any of these:
- All the fixtures go sluggish together
- Water comes up the floor drain when you do laundry
- Toilet bubbles while a sink drains
- Soggy dip in the grass above where the lateral runs
- Anything involving the gas line, the venting or cutting into a wall