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Connect downspouts to sewer line?

| Posted in General Discussion on September 28, 2000 06:00am

*
The three downspouts on my newly acquired little 1924 bungalow empty into buried (and broken/leaking) clay tile pipe that apparently originally joined up with the house’s sewer line on one side, and joined up with the main sewer (under the street) on the other side.

There is a 3″ or maybe 4″ cleanout visible poking up through the concrete floor on each side of the basement. If I ran plastic DWV pipe up from those conveniently located cleanouts, out through the rim joist and connected it to each downspout, would you consider me A) insane, B) cunning and ingenious, or C) (fill in the blank)? Thanks for your input.

Andre

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  1. Guest_ | Sep 27, 2000 03:50pm | #1

    *
    Aside frm it probably being illegal its dangerous, What happens when a buck of leaves or sticks goes all the way to the main drain line for the house and lodges. Sure you have cleanouts, unless that is where you ran the pvc lines? But the first time oy clogs and flods the house is going to be one too many. Too answer your question, insane.

    1. Guest_ | Sep 27, 2000 07:13pm | #2

      *Mark is right on. Don't know about the rules in 1924, I missed that, but now it is against the rules most everywhere. Plus, why take the chance on plugging your sewer line?

      1. Guest_ | Sep 27, 2000 07:15pm | #3

        *Andre...I'm gathering that you want to take outside rainwater (quantities unknown based upon roof size and rain intensity), and you want to bring that water into your house and send it under your basement slab...destination unknown?Answer? A).Keep the water outside your house...no matter how big that pipe, no matter where it may lead.

  2. Andre_Madar_ | Sep 28, 2000 05:43am | #4

    *
    Wow! It's unanimous so far. I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I'm looking into alternative remedies...
    Andre

  3. Andre_Madar_ | Sep 28, 2000 06:00am | #5

    *
    The three downspouts on my newly acquired little 1924 bungalow empty into buried (and broken/leaking) clay tile pipe that apparently originally joined up with the house's sewer line on one side, and joined up with the main sewer (under the street) on the other side.

    There is a 3" or maybe 4" cleanout visible poking up through the concrete floor on each side of the basement. If I ran plastic DWV pipe up from those conveniently located cleanouts, out through the rim joist and connected it to each downspout, would you consider me A) insane, B) cunning and ingenious, or C) (fill in the blank)? Thanks for your input.

    Andre

  4. Guest_ | Sep 28, 2000 06:00am | #6

    *
    Andre,

    Ditto with Mark.

    It's illegal as hell in our area. Our City used to go to area neigborhoods and run a smoke test to determine if your storm drains were hooked into the sanitary sewer lines (like you're proposing to do). If they were, they had to be corrected immediately or else the residents were faced with a stiff penalty payment.

    Cities don't want to have to treat any more water than they possibly have to. Storm drains add a lot xtra water to their sanitary systems which can over burden their equipment.

    Don't do it!

    Davo.

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