Sump Pump Check valve-will it cause freezing?

[Jengla]

Reading through this Forum's entries on sump pumps, it appears that I should place a check valve close to the sump pump so water will not flow back in to the sump. I am concerned that if I do that, water will stay in the 1 ½ inch PVC discharge piping outside of the house's foundation and will freeze in winter (I live in the Chicago area). There is about 1 1/2 foot elevation change from where the PVC piping leaves the foundation to where the PVC piping rests on the lawn. The piping discharges on to the lawn and then in to a street. The outside piping run is about 30 feet so as to avoid basement windows and the remaining part of the foundation. Should I be concerned about water freezing in the outside piping? and is there a way to avoid this? I leave the house unattended for several months in winter/spring.

[notuboo]

Make sure the exposed pipe in the yard is sloped to drain and then drill a small hole (on the top side of the pipe) 3/16 th's or less which will allow air into the pipe and let it all drain out. You want to drill the hole at an angle away from the foundation or building.