Sewer Trap
What makes a sewer work – NYC Sewer and House Sewer Lines
A NYC sewer for a property works on gravity, the principal that water runs downhill.  As a matter of fact a pressurized house sewer is not legal in NYC unless there is prior approval from the NYC DEP due to very special circumstances.
A house sewer line in NYC is typically installed using extra heavy cast iron sewer pipe and should have a minimum of 1″ of pitch for every 5′ of sewer run. The pitch of a sewer line is limited to no more than 1′ of pitch for every 4′ of run. A house sewer line connects to the NYC sewer system typically in the roadway and at a point above the flow line of the NYC sewer. A typical house sewer line is 4″ in diameter from the house to the property line, then 6″ from the property line to the NYC sewer connection. Commercial properties require 6″ extra heavy cast iron sewer pipe the entire run.
Domestic Extra Heavy Cast Iron
Installing a larger diameter sewer pipe than what is required has no benefit and as a matter of fact will actually slow the flow of water in the sewer line. Because no mechanical device such as a pump is required for a house sewer line to function properly a NYC sewer should work without any maintenance whatsoever for well 
over 50 years. Routine cleaning or treatment is not required unless a sewer line has some sort of defect or is being misused. Domestically produced extra heavy cast iron sewer pipe has routinely tested out to be superior to many imported products.
Sewer Trap
Because a sewer line in NYC is required by code to have a double vent house trap, large or unsuitable objects placed in a house drain are usually caught before they can cause a blockage in a house sewer or a NYC sewer. Some municipalities outside of NYC do not require a sewer trap. A double vent house trap also creates a water barrier in the bottom of the trap to prevent gases from entering into a property.
Backwater Valve
It is important that the sewer trap have tightly fitting plugs to prevent leakage of waste or gases. In some cases where the public sewer system tends to back up during heavy rains a backwater valve (sewer check valve) is recommended. Installing a sewer check valve in some cases can save thousands of dollars in damage when a NYC sewer backs up through a house sewer.
NYC Licensed Plumber
All sewer line work in NYC must be performed by a licensed master plumber. NYC DEP permits are required and typically NYC DOT permits are required as well. All NYC sewer work must be inspected by a NYC DEP inspector prior to backfill of  the excavations. In some cases a NYC DOT representative is present to monitor the backfill and compaction of the excavations. Additional helpful information is available on the Resources page.
About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
Owners Of Joseph L. Balkan
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer line replacement and water main service in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run sewer and water main company in operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the job is done.We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, backhoes and pneumatics.
For all your sewer repair & water main break, catch basin, fire hydrant, manhole, fire sprinkler service, water main and sewer work contact Balkan Plumbing today.
Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 | Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 849-0900 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
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