FIELD

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to cleanout conduits for sewer service lines. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to sure-seal cleanout conduit valve assemblies and methods which reliably prevent rainwater and other precipitation and runoff on a ground surface from entering a cleanout conduit connected to a sewer service line.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is solely for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Aspects of the background description are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the claimed subject matter.

Homes, businesses and other buildings typically include a sewer service line which connects the sewage system of the building to a municipal sewer line. A cleanout conduit may extend from the sewer service line to facilitate cleaning and removal of clogs and debris from the sewer service line. The cleanout conduit may include a relief valve having a valve body. The valve body may normally be spring-loaded in a closed position to prevent entry of rainwater and other precipitation and runoff into the cleanout conduit and deployable to an open position. In the event of a blockage in the sewer service line between the cleanout conduit and the municipal sewer line, the open relief valve may facilitate overflow of sewage from the cleanout conduit to prevent backflow of the sewage through the cleanout conduit and sewer service line into the sewage system of the building.

A standard or conventional relief valve in a sewer service line has a discharge end which is oriented in a horizontal plane. The valve body is spring-loaded in the closed position to seal the discharge end. Responsive to flow of the overflow sewage from the cleanout conduit into the relief valve, the valve body opens to facilitate discharge of the overflow sewage. Upon termination of overflow sewage flow, the valve body returns to the closed position to prevent entry of precipitation and runoff into the relief valve and cleanout conduit.

One of the limitations of standard or conventional relief valves is that the horizontal orientation of the discharge end frequently causes paper and other debris to collect around the discharge end. Consequently, the valve body fails to close completely and inadequately seals the discharge opening at the discharge end. This may allow precipitation and runoff to enter the relief valve, potentially resulting in overflow of the relief valve onto the ground surface and potential entry of the overflow sewage into the building, particularly under heavy precipitation conditions.

Accordingly, sure-seal cleanout conduit valve assemblies and methods which reliably prevent rainwater and other precipitation and runoff on a ground surface from entering a cleanout conduit connected to a sewer service line may be desirable for some applications.

SUMMARY

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to cleanout conduit valve assemblies for a cleanout conduit. An illustrative embodiment of the cleanout conduit valve assemblies may include a vertically oriented valve housing. The valve housing may have a valve inlet end configured to be disposed in fluid communication with the cleanout conduit and a valve discharge end opposite to and generally above the valve inlet end. The valve discharge end may be oriented within a valve discharge plane disposed at a discharge angle of greater than 0 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. The valve discharge end may have an upper discharge opening side and a lower discharge opening side sloped downwardly from the upper discharge opening side. A valve body may be pivotally attached to the valve housing at the upper discharge opening side of the valve discharge end.

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are further generally directed to methods of preventing precipitation and runoff on a ground surface from entering a cleanout conduit connected to a sewer service line. An illustrative embodiment of the methods may include obtaining a cleanout conduit valve assembly and coupling the cleanout conduit valve assembly to the cleanout conduit. The cleanout conduit valve assembly may include a vertically oriented valve housing. The valve housing may have a valve inlet end and a valve discharge end opposite to and generally above the valve inlet end. The valve discharge end may be oriented within a valve discharge plane disposed at a discharge angle of greater than 0 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. The valve discharge end may have an upper discharge opening side and a lower discharge opening side sloped downwardly from the upper discharge opening side. A valve body may be pivotally carried by the valve housing at the upper discharge opening side of the valve discharge end.

