What should you do when your basement floods?

Sewer back-ups and basement floods are common issues for homeowners.  Unfortunately, they can cause a major mess and take weeks to clean up.  We often find basement carpet and furniture has been ruined as a result of a sewer back-up.

In some cases, the back-up results from a sewer district’s main line.  Those issues should be reported to your local sewer district immediately.  In other cases, the blockage may occur on the homeowner’s property.  When this happens, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear the blockage and restore the plumbing system.  Here are a few reasons why sewer back-ups occur:

• Tree roots grow through cracked pipes, causing a blockage
• Excess rainwater overloads the system
• Miscellaneous items have been put down the drain, like kitchen grease, feminine products or cat litter
• Illegal hookups allow excess water to enter the sewer system (roof leaders and drain gutters)

When you experience a basement flood, there are a few immediate steps to take:

• Contact a professional plumbing contractor who can find and fix the blockage
• Keep people and pets away from the affected area
• Turn off heating or cooling systems to avoid circulating toxins
• Don’t touch anything in the affected area, let a professional handle that

The best way to remedy a basement back-up is to be proactive.  Regular maintenance, cleaning and camera inspections of your sewer lines can help avoid a costly back-up by recognizing problems before they occur.

The second way to remedy a basement back-up is to install a backwater valve that will stop water and sewage from flowing into your home.  The valve on the device will close when water comes into it from the wrong direction.  This option works well for customers who have taken preventative steps but still experience back-ups.  Backwater valves can be installed inside or outside the home depending on the situation.

Installing these valves should be done by a professional plumber who has the knowledge and experience to properly install the device.  Once installed, you must have it cleaned and checked periodically to ensure that it continues to work correctly.  Just like a car, these devices have parts that wear out and need replaced.  We recommend testing at least once a year to ensure everything is working properly.

Homeowners that have experienced a flooded basement know how valuable preventative maintenance can be.  If you’re worried about a flooded basement, give us a call.  We can inspect your property and provide our assessment on potential steps to take to protect your property.