 | Braden Peak is the manager of Roto-Rooter Sewer, Drain, Septic and Grease Trap Service in Pittsburg, KS. A Girard native and a graduate of Pittsburg State University, he is a licensed sewer contractor and has been with the company since 2002. He can be reached at 620-231-5630 or by emailing kpp_rotorooter@yahoo.com. You can also become a fan of Roto-Rooter of Pittsburg on Facebook.
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Plumbing
2012-08-02 08:09:34
Flooded Basements
Q- Our basement flooded recently during heavy rainfall and caused a lot of damage. What causes this problem and how can we prevent it from happening in the future?
A- Flooded basements can be a nightmare, especially if they are finished and contain valuable items. Many basements contain HVAC units, hot water heaters, and appliances which can be damaged or destroyed when submerged in water. There are a few things that can cause flooded basements and there are some prevention measures you can take as a homeowner.
In older homes, the perimeter drain around the basement wall and floor may be tied into the sanitary sewer lateral. If the sewer lateral is clogged, the water will surface in the lowest spot of the basement which is usually a floor drain. More storm water equals more water in your basement because the water has nowhere to drain. In some cases the perimeter lines empty into a deep basin floor drain. If the floor drain gets clogged, the water will start pooling in the basement. The difference between the two problems listed above is one contains a sewage and storm water backup versus just a storm water backup. Regardless of which occurs, it is best to call a professional immediately to clean the lines and allow the water to drain.
Many homes new and old have a sump pump in the basement. These are designed to take the perimeter water coming into the basement and pump it away from the house. These should not be plumbed into the sanitary sewer as it is a code violation and can also cause major problems if your service lateral becomes clogged. If you have a sump pump and your basement floods anyway, chances are the pump has a problem. Sometimes the pump just has a minor issue and a quick fix can be made. On the other hand, the pump can fail and need replaced or the discharge line can become clogged.
Perhaps the ugliest and most horrifying flooded basement culprit of all is a city sanitary sewer main backup. During extreme rainfalls or in areas with an aging city main, the line that serves houses on your block can become overwhelmed or clogged. The water seeks its level and begins to enter basements, sometimes at an alarming rate. Although in a state of panic, it is easy to point fingers and blame your city public works department, keep in mind there is a step you can take to avoid this mess. Backflow preventers installed on your sewer line contain a hinged and sealed flap that stays normally shut. When you use water and it drains through the sewer line, the flap opens to allow the water to flow out. However, the flap will stay shut should any water try to flow back the opposite direction, such as the case during a city main backup. If you want to avoid someone else’s sewage surfacing in your basement, these are a must have item.
The best advice I can give to avoid a flooded basement is to make sure your house is plumbed properly, be prepared, and do preventative maintenance. Make sure your sump pump is working properly by occasionally dumping buckets of water into the basin. Also test your floor drains on occasion by dumping water in them. Your sewer line should also be inspected or cleaned regularly. And last but not least, if your basement level sewer line does not contain a backflow preventer, I strongly suggest having one installed.
