Prevent toilet backflow

doberryfirkin

On the odd occasion when we have had torrential rain the downstairs toilet 'gurgles' presumably as a result of excess flow through the drains. We are worried this may lead to back-flow in the toilet. I have been told there are a number of devices that can prevent back-flow from a toilet in this event. Can anyone point me to a temporary device that can be fitted to prevent back-flow? I have found a couple on the internet but they seem expensive for what they do.

keystone

doberryfirkin wrote: »

On the odd occasion when we have had torrential rain the downstairs toilet 'gurgles' presumably as a result of excess flow through the drains. We are worried this may lead to back-flow in the toilet.

You are getting some syphonage thats all. The water rushing through the storm drain is creating a partial vacuum in the pipework particularly if you have a combined storm/foul water sewer. Its sucking rather than blowing water back at you. If the system surcharges for any reason (ie too much water in the storm drain or alternatively a blockage in your foul drain then on of the purposes of the inspection chambers (manholes if you like) is to provide a reservoir for the additional liquid to rise up into. If it starts coming up through your loo then there is a major flood outside rather than just an extra bit of water in the storm drains and it will probably be entering via the doorway too. I wouldn't worry about it tbh.

I have been told there are a number of devices that can prevent back-flow from a toilet in this event.

I'd be interested to hear about them.

Can anyone point me to a temporary device that can be fitted to prevent back-flow?

Where would you fit it?

I have found a couple on the internet but they seem expensive for what they do.[/QUOTE]Linky would be nice. Bet its to a US site though.

Cheers

southcoastrgi

a ballon or maybe clingfilm ?

doberryfirkin

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure if it breaks the rules but here are a couple of links to the devices I mention:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Medium-Toilet-Seal-Protection-from-Sewage-Backflow-Flood-Prevention-/250992338567?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a704f2687
http://www.floodingsolutions.co.uk/shop/toilet-panseal

keystone

Thanks. Two questions then:

1. Do you live on a floodplain and is your area high risk?

2. If the answer to 1. is yes what does your water/sewerage company recommend?

If the answer to 1 is no you have a non problem IMHO.

Cheers

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

doberryfirkin wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure if it breaks the rules but here are a couple of links to the devices I mention:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Medium-Toilet-Seal-Protection-from-Sewage-Backflow-Flood-Prevention-/250992338567?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a704f2687
http://www.floodingsolutions.co.uk/shop/toilet-panseal

What a codswallop product. Unless OP lives on a flood plain, then she will not be liable to flooding, and the same where I live, it would have to be of biblical proportions to even get my floaters to return to the bowl, and if they did, the dustbin lid device would not stop the turds from flying.

I guess this is the climate greenwash we are be bull excreta fed with these days. PS. My house is at 27 metres.

rxbren

Waste of money by the time the foul drain would have backed up enough to flow out of your toilet your whole street will be under a couple foot of water

southcoastrgi

rxbren wrote: »

Waste of money by the time the foul drain would have backed up enough to flow out of your toilet your whole street will be under a couple foot of water

but at least you could stand in the loo to keep your feet dry

doberryfirkin

Thank you for the most entertaining replies which have given me many minutes of enjoyment. You're right some of these products are jumping on the 'flood risk' bandwagon and the prices they ask are extraordinary. Perhaps, in an emergency, the best option is to ram x meters of roll down the loo in the hope that it blocks it :-)

tired_dad

I don't think you need to do anything for the reasons above, however if you still want something you an use anti-rat fittings in the soil pipe.

Remove the toilet, ram the device in the soil pipe and replace the toilet.

They are used to stop rats crawling up the soil pipe from sewer.

We have used these to prevent backflow due to 2 toilets sharing a soil pipe on the same level.

They only cost a few quid

tired_dad

Oh, just realised this is in the flood sub forum. These rat devices are good for stopping backflow and waste reappearing in the pan. I don't think they are watertight for flood issues