By: K.C. Roads
If you've ever experienced basement flooding due to a drain backup, you'll probably be eager to do anything to prevent it from happening again. It's not pretty, it's certainly not healthy and it's one of the few things that even the most avid DIYers will oftentimes get a professional plumber to take care of, rather than attempting a sewer cleanup themselves.
Causes of Basement Drain Backup
Basement drain backup can be caused by three types of problems. First, damage to or blockage of your home's drainage system causes sewer and drain losses in your basement during spring thaw or heavy rainfall. In this case, water that's supposed to be channeled away from the home is either blocked from doing so or leaks through damaged pipes before it's outside of your home. Second, the sump pump that pumps out water from your drain in the basement (if it's below water table level) is lacking or fails. And third, the connection between your sewer system and the street's main sewer system is in some way compromised. This can be due to a blockage, an overflow of wastewater and rainwater in the combined sewer system.
How to Reduce Basement Drain Backup
If your basement is overflowing due to a damage or blockage of your home's drainage system, there are a number of solutions. Some you can do yourself, others require the services of a professional plumber.
- Check your drainage system to make sure it's functioning properly. If the gutters or downspouts are blocked, flush them; and if they're damaged, repair them as soon as possible. Adjust the downspouts so they're facing away from the home's foundation and the water naturally flows away from the structure. Ideally, your landscaping should be sloped down from your house so water runs to the street.
- For basements below the water table level, check the sump pump to see if it needs repairing or replacing.
- If the problem lies in the connection between your home's sewer system and the street's main sewer, you'll need a plumber to find out if there's a blockage and if so, to remove the blockage.
- If an overflow of wastewater is flowing into your home's sewer system and drain in the basement, you'll need to install an anti-backflow device. The most popular types are check-valve devices, which enable the flow of sewage and rainwater away from the drain in the basement and prevent them from flowing back again, and gate-valve devices, which cut off the flow of sewage and water. Before you install any anti-backflow device, remember to check with your city to find out if you need a plumbing permit to install it. If this is the case, contact a reliable plumber to do the job for you.
To find out more information about Water Sewer & Drain coverage call Tabitha Walker Insurance Agency at 540.657.5633
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