Let's talk sewage lint traps...

[Sudds]

So the lint trap that came with my unattended mat has had better days. I had the lint trap 'redone' by the plumbing company that I typically give all of my business to. Since Im on the opposite side of the country, I requested some additional details and pictures be sent to me to have a feel for what the finished product looked like.

Overall it appears that they did a reasonable job with the operation. My reveiw led me to post a few questions.

How many owners service / maintain their lint traps on a regular basis?

what is part of your service / maintenance procedure? Do you just empty out the lint trap, do you clean it in place?

Based on the function of a working lint trap, what is the rationale for the significant sewage fees?

Discuss.

[rjwarner]

My lint trap consists of a screen that goes across the end of my washer troughs/pits. It get cleaned weekly. The screen is removed and cleaned with a scraper and wire brush in my mop sink. The lint is then thrown in the garbage...I dont let it go down the drain.

[Howard]

My lint trap consisted of pancake valves at the bottom of my washers. As the owner of a store that was originally built in the 1950's I had no such requirements and everything just went to the sewer. Much less of a hassle

[MrMachine]

I had custom stainless steel lint traps built to my own specs.
they have 2" sumps built in by simply welding the exit pipe 2" higher in the box.

The intake section is separated from the output section by a stainless steel vertical screen that is basically just a plate with holes in it. It's much like a washer or dryer basket surface. It slides in and out of the box, held in two vertical SS channels. This is very easy to clean with a scraper about once every 2 weeks.
You can get them in different sizes and thicknesses:

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Perf.../dp/B000H9RUU2

The screens and sump are very effective in keeping out things like bra wires from working their way into the main line.
I also use a fireplace ash shovel to take out any sediment or COINS & JEWELRY from the 2" sump:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...shovel&x=0&y=0

[RichA]

Store 1 built 1981 has a lint trap. When I bought the store in 2003 from the original owners told me they had not used the lint trap in at least 10 years, I have continued that.
Store 2 built 1970 no lint trap.

[Sudds]

Thanks for the replies. Paul, I'm interested in what you did. Thanks for posting the links and information btw.

Can you post or email me some pictures of your set up. Thanks again.

[mjwalsh]

Originally Posted by Sudds

Thanks for the replies. Paul, I'm interested in what you did. Thanks for posting the links and information btw.

Can you post or email me some pictures of your set up. Thanks again.

Sudds,

Here is a picture of our custom fabricated stainless steel filter taken out when I just power washed the lint off in our self service car wash a few minutes ago. Notice that is made to conform & fit to the end of our trough. In the trough there is an inverted pipe so floating lint tends to not go into the pipe since some will still get through the filter. The V shape makes for more surface area so it does not plug up as quickly.

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/mjwalsh/

We like the square tubing on it as a handle for removal & insertion. The stainless steel welder could have welded it together but he chose to just use stainless steel pop rivets. It is in perfect shape even though it has been used continuously for over 25 years now. I am thinking it is possibly somewhat along the lines of what Paul &/or RJ Warner are using.

I hope this helps.

mike walsh king koin of bismarck

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by Sudds

Thanks for the replies. Paul, I'm interested in what you did. Thanks for posting the links and information btw.

Can you post or email me some pictures of your set up. Thanks again.

I'll see if I can take a pic or two, but give me a few days.

[ldm]

We don't have a lint trap her in FarNorCal. I know the lint trap is important if you have a septic system for obvious reasons. Sounds like certain areas require a lint trap and possibly charge extra because of the lint issue in general even if you have a lint trap...guess the sewage plant has to deal with the lint down the line. Les

[Sudds]

Thanks for the replies and picture posts all that replied. Yes Paul, I'll keep checking back. I want to see this to compare with what was done at my location. Thanks again all.