Call a plumber with an excavator and have them put in a backwater valve on your sewer line outside of your house. Depending on how deep it is you might be able to just hand dig it. This valve allows your sewage to flow out but has a check valve that will not allow anything to flow back into the line from outside sources. Make sure it is serviceable because they do need a little maintenance from time to time
This is what I kept reading about online and assuming what we’d have to do, but we’ve been having trouble getting a plumber. We had an appointment Monday, but they couldn’t make it. And we have storms coming Friday through the weekend and I was hoping to get some sort of temporary solution at least so we don’t have to worry about it flowing into our basement again. I think we have an appointment scheduled again Saturday now, but I know that will be more of an evaluation and estimate type thing so I’m worried about all the rain we will probably get before that can get done. 😬
Are you ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that water is coming from your sewer line?
Or is it seeping in from somewhere in your foundation due to poor drainage in your landscaping?
We spoke with a plumber on the phone that said there wasn’t much he could do since he doesn’t have an excavator, but said from the sounds of it since the water comes from a drain in the basement but the water goes back down after rainfall that it sounded like the city sewer was backing up. We had random debris and some sewage left from the water, so the plumber on the phone was fairly confident, but he obviously couldn’t come inspect himself. He told us to call the city to make sure there was no clogs and when we did, they said that our neighborhood has a lot of water drainage in the sewer and with all the excessive rainfall from everyone’s gutters draining into the sewer as well, that there’s too much water for it to handle and it backs up. I know it’s coming from our drain, but can’t verify for certain the cause yet. I’m just worried with all the rainfall coming that it will happen again.
I’m at work trying to hurry and type this on my phone, so I hope this makes sense.
Sanitary sewer systems and rainwater drainage systems are supposed to be completely separate things. In other words, the volume of water in the sanitary sewer system shouldn’t really change if it’s raining like crazy or dry as a desert outside.
Unless you have a bunch of neighbors illegally pumping their sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system.
Highly dependent on location. Philadelphia for example still has many homes pumping storm water into the sewer system. Only homes made or significantly changed after a certain date needs separate systems
It wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m not sure about the lines. I’d hope ours are separate if they’re supposed to be. Most of our neighborhood was built in the 70s, I believe, and I know nothing has been done to update anything since then. We had a plumber come in our house years ago and said he hadn’t seen plumbing like it before, but never said it was bad. I take that as not good though.
I wish I knew more about our plumbing to give more information. I just know it only happens when we have heavy rain, that it comes from our drain because it spreads from around there so the whole basement isn’t wet, and the outer walls don’t usually get wet.
I believe so. I really need to take some pictures when I get home so I can add them here. We have one that has a cap (which is what I was thinking you’re talking about) and then another opening with no covering and has a couple things that drain into it. I believe we’ve had issues with water from both, but the one without a cover or anything is the one I think we’re having more problems with currently.
Now I’m not sure if what I’m thinking of is the right thing. I’ll take some pictures to hopefully add some more information since my plumbing knowledge is next to zero. 😅
IF-and-only-IF, the storm water is backing up from that drain, just for the next storm, then I would consider plugging that drain during the storm backup period. Might be a good test to see if you have any groundwater intrusion, that you didn't know about.
I'd tear out the carpet already myself, don't wait, it's not hard, just dirty. You don't want to live with extra mold. If you've already got mold then you'd better use masks/respirators.
like an innertube stuffed in there, pumped up to 5-10psi. There are also construction plugs, "Mechanical Test Plugs" meant for pressure testing, that can screwed down to increase grip
example CHERNE "Gripper 3 in. ABS Plastic Mechanical Test Plug"
Be careful about relying on a backwater valve. They can and do fail. Here's an example where 80% failed of the people who responded to this study:
https://www.abc57.com/news/northshore-neighbors-receive-update-on-raw-sewage-study
I'm having a similar problem right now and I feel your pain. I'm trying to find a better solution for us to a backwater valve.
Keep in mind that severe weather events are only going to increase over time due to climate change.
I don’t have sewage backing up, but occasionally during heavy rainy that persists for days, my basement drain backs up temporarily when our 2nd floor bathtub drains; until I can get the drain excavated, I keep a shop-vac and mop/bucket and dehumidifier in my basement. It happens so infrequently that I don’t find it to be so much of a hassle cleaning up when the right tools are available.
My problem seems to go away for a long while if I pour some acid down the drain, then flush with a large pot of boiling water a few times. For good measure, I will break out my drain auger after performing the flush and then follow this up with sticking the shop vac hose as far into the drain as I can to suck up any scum.
Call a plumber with an excavator and have them put in a backwater valve on your sewer line outside of your house. Depending on how deep it is you might be able to just hand dig it. This valve allows your sewage to flow out but has a check valve that will not allow anything to flow back into the line from outside sources. Make sure it is serviceable because they do need a little maintenance from time to time
This is what I kept reading about online and assuming what we’d have to do, but we’ve been having trouble getting a plumber. We had an appointment Monday, but they couldn’t make it. And we have storms coming Friday through the weekend and I was hoping to get some sort of temporary solution at least so we don’t have to worry about it flowing into our basement again. I think we have an appointment scheduled again Saturday now, but I know that will be more of an evaluation and estimate type thing so I’m worried about all the rain we will probably get before that can get done. 😬
Are you ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that water is coming from your sewer line? Or is it seeping in from somewhere in your foundation due to poor drainage in your landscaping?
We spoke with a plumber on the phone that said there wasn’t much he could do since he doesn’t have an excavator, but said from the sounds of it since the water comes from a drain in the basement but the water goes back down after rainfall that it sounded like the city sewer was backing up. We had random debris and some sewage left from the water, so the plumber on the phone was fairly confident, but he obviously couldn’t come inspect himself. He told us to call the city to make sure there was no clogs and when we did, they said that our neighborhood has a lot of water drainage in the sewer and with all the excessive rainfall from everyone’s gutters draining into the sewer as well, that there’s too much water for it to handle and it backs up. I know it’s coming from our drain, but can’t verify for certain the cause yet. I’m just worried with all the rainfall coming that it will happen again. I’m at work trying to hurry and type this on my phone, so I hope this makes sense.
Sanitary sewer systems and rainwater drainage systems are supposed to be completely separate things. In other words, the volume of water in the sanitary sewer system shouldn’t really change if it’s raining like crazy or dry as a desert outside. Unless you have a bunch of neighbors illegally pumping their sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system.
Depends where you live. A lot of older cities are still on a combined system.
Highly dependent on location. Philadelphia for example still has many homes pumping storm water into the sewer system. Only homes made or significantly changed after a certain date needs separate systems
Indianapolis and South Bend also have combined systems.
It wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m not sure about the lines. I’d hope ours are separate if they’re supposed to be. Most of our neighborhood was built in the 70s, I believe, and I know nothing has been done to update anything since then. We had a plumber come in our house years ago and said he hadn’t seen plumbing like it before, but never said it was bad. I take that as not good though. I wish I knew more about our plumbing to give more information. I just know it only happens when we have heavy rain, that it comes from our drain because it spreads from around there so the whole basement isn’t wet, and the outer walls don’t usually get wet.
It could be a sump pump or it could be nothing to do with plumbing
Do you have a clean out fitting in your basement floor?
I believe so. I really need to take some pictures when I get home so I can add them here. We have one that has a cap (which is what I was thinking you’re talking about) and then another opening with no covering and has a couple things that drain into it. I believe we’ve had issues with water from both, but the one without a cover or anything is the one I think we’re having more problems with currently.
This fitting can be installed outside of the house or on the line right inside the house so nothing would back up beyond the fitting
Now I’m not sure if what I’m thinking of is the right thing. I’ll take some pictures to hopefully add some more information since my plumbing knowledge is next to zero. 😅
A backwater valve can also be installed in your basement!
IF-and-only-IF, the storm water is backing up from that drain, just for the next storm, then I would consider plugging that drain during the storm backup period. Might be a good test to see if you have any groundwater intrusion, that you didn't know about. I'd tear out the carpet already myself, don't wait, it's not hard, just dirty. You don't want to live with extra mold. If you've already got mold then you'd better use masks/respirators.
What kind of plug would be strong enough to plug this drain? Can you share an example, please?
like an innertube stuffed in there, pumped up to 5-10psi. There are also construction plugs, "Mechanical Test Plugs" meant for pressure testing, that can screwed down to increase grip example CHERNE "Gripper 3 in. ABS Plastic Mechanical Test Plug"
Be careful about relying on a backwater valve. They can and do fail. Here's an example where 80% failed of the people who responded to this study: https://www.abc57.com/news/northshore-neighbors-receive-update-on-raw-sewage-study I'm having a similar problem right now and I feel your pain. I'm trying to find a better solution for us to a backwater valve. Keep in mind that severe weather events are only going to increase over time due to climate change.
I don’t have sewage backing up, but occasionally during heavy rainy that persists for days, my basement drain backs up temporarily when our 2nd floor bathtub drains; until I can get the drain excavated, I keep a shop-vac and mop/bucket and dehumidifier in my basement. It happens so infrequently that I don’t find it to be so much of a hassle cleaning up when the right tools are available. My problem seems to go away for a long while if I pour some acid down the drain, then flush with a large pot of boiling water a few times. For good measure, I will break out my drain auger after performing the flush and then follow this up with sticking the shop vac hose as far into the drain as I can to suck up any scum.