Preventing Basement Sewage Backup

2/8/2018 (Permalink)

Now that winter is now here, it is time to start thinking about rain storms and the potential damage it can cause if your home is not prepared in advance. And because sewage backup can be harmful to you and your family’s health, here are some ways to prevent your property from sewer backup:

• Floor drain plug
  • One way drain plugs can be used to prevent water from backing up due to overloaded sewers. If using one, always make sure that the floating mechanism is free from any debris that could prevent its proper function.
• Standpipe
  • A standpipe is an ordinary pipe that is taller than other pipes and is surrounded by a rubber seal. Any water that would rise out of the drain would go into the pipe and when flood conditions are no longer a threat, the standpipe can be removed, which can allow any water spillage to drain.
• Overhead Sewer
  • If you have a basement, getting an overhead sewer is one of the best ways to prevent the basement from flooding.
• Backwater Valve
  • Installed at the exit point from the building, it is an underground pipe that connects to the sewer line. This is a pricey solution since it involves getting a permit and requiring a licensed plumber to do this but it can save you thousands of dollars in case of a sewage backup.