Unoccupied condo having sewer back-ups from toilet, tub, etc

Hi,
I'll try to make this as concise as possible. We have a condo in Ft. Myers, Fl that is unoccupied. Since July of 2005, we've had 2 sewage back-ups that came in from the toilet, bathroom sink and tub. The first back-up was MAJOR and ruined 80% of our place. Besides the fact that we have a lawyer to try to fight the condo association about taking steps to rectify and also writing letters to the 3 other owners in our building about throwing "stuff" down the sinks/toilets. Is there something we can install to prevent this from happening again? I don't want to sell the condo over this, but it's making us sick that every time we fix the unit, it happens again.

A little more info: we've received several newsletters a few years ago mentioning a "sewage lift station" and that people should not throw things down sinks/toilets. They described "to the letter" exactly what has happened in our unit as an example of what can happen if people continue to do so. Do you think it may be the lift station? And if so, how can we prove it without losing our shirts in legal fees?
Thanks in advance for any educated information you give.

lorrainefior said:

Hi,
And if so, how can we prove it without losing our shirts in legal fees?[/b]
Thanks in advance for any educated information you give.

Click to expand...

In the UK you can buy a one way valve that is installed on the soil pipe. If it backs up then the valve closes. They are used in areas that are prone to flooding.
Actually, this is an American webpage http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/howto/how2007.shtm

Of course all you are doing is shifting the problem to someone else, but at least your own place isnt ruined!

Hi,
I'll look into this. THANK YOU!

**** happens Have a nice day

Hi Lorraine,

We recently experienced the same thing in our unit in nearby Sarasota. Were you able to determine the problem or solution? Thanks very much !

Rob

I would have this installed ,I am sure there will be something similar available in the states.

http://www.ifdp.co.uk/products/sewageStoppers.html