Waste line shut off valve?

[inspectorwill]

A shut off valve is installed at the kitchen sink drain. Why? I cannot come up with a rational explanation.

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[Tom Raymond]

Is the vertical pipe just behind the trap connected? This is a WAG but some people are under the mistaken impression that grey water, especially the food waste from a kitchen, is bad for septic systems. Could it be a diverter between a septic system and a grey water drain?

[kurt]

That's one reasonable possibility.

Another is a lousy municipal sewer system; sewer systems back up and the sewage comes up through the fixtures. It happens in parts of Chicago sometimes; don't know about Oxnard.

[Steven Hockstein]

Just out of curiousity, what was plugged into the outlet.

I agree with Kurt. Was it a basement apartment?

[Tom Raymond]

The back up idea occurred to me, but that valve placement would be less than convenient in the middle of a shit storm.

[tybertown29]

The back up idea occurred to me, but that valve placement would be less than convenient in the middle of a shit storm.

Besides they would need one for every drain not just the kitchen sink.[:-monkeyd

[Marc]

I'll ask my spouse. She grew up in Oxnard. Her folks are still there.

Marc

[inspectorwill]

Your spouse is Lucky Marc. Oxnard is a great place, at least along the beaches. This inspection was in Santa Barbara and I found out today from some late disclosures that the valve was installed during this first floor condo remodel. The reason for the remodel is the sink backed up and flooded the unit when the owners were away. Not commonly seen around these parts and seems a bit unusual that a valve would have to be installed to prevent the condo from flooding every time they left the home.

[ejager]

An alternative theory as to why there might be a diverter is: to utilize grey water for their garden, but divert cleaning chemicals to the sewer system.