After a long period of confusion , i discovered something about my own home
You see i had, near the front of the home in the basement, what looked like a sump pit only there was what looked like a submarine hatch door. ( SANS WHEEL HANDLE)

I didn't think it was a doorway to a nuclear shelter or anything. I knew it was some kind of valve.

After lots of web research and talking to folks, I learned that it was a
JAY R. SMITH INLINE MANUAL SHUT-OFF GATE VALVE. I'm missing a wheel handle and thankfully I found someone that sells them, even though they suggested that a 3/4 socket would open it in a pinch, for testing purposes. After all, It had not been maintained or operated since the 70's. Still i was assured that since the moving parts were actually not moving, all it may need is a cleaning and lube of some of the parts.

What also troubled me was how ground water would rise up in the pit. I learned from a friend that the back flow protection wouldn't kick in unless it was a higher pressure. So the small amount of water is not of big concern.

I plan to do the maintenance and repairs needed, with the help of the guy i'm getting parts from.

In the meantime... i was wondering if anyone can share good/ bad experiences with this type of flood control.
Backwater Valves :: 7150 Inline Manual Shut Off Gate Valve Series Drain Backwater Valve


Joe Tribuzio
thischicago.com