What Causes Water Backup?

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Back up in a bathroom

Water backup mostly occurs when the water around the property’s foundation exceeds the capacity of the removal systems to drain it. It can occur from surface water seeping into foundation walls or sewer systems overflowing up through drains.

Preventing Water Backup

1. Maintain gutters and downspouts, keeping them free of debris and leaves and repairing them if they are sagging.
2. Inspect your gutters' capacity - after fifteen minutes of heavy rain, if water overflows the gutters, you should install additional downspouts.
3. Extend downspouts at least ten feet away from the house
4.  Adjust landscaping and irrigation so that water flows away from the foundation.
5. Drain subsurface groundwater and stormwater with a sump pump system that has battery backup and replacement warnings.
6. Run your sump pump every few months and clean it annually before the rainy season.
7. Prevent backflow of sanitary sewer water by installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, including sinks and toilets.
8. Prepare your basement, garage. Or other storage areas "just in case" by raising your washer, dryer, water heater, electrical wiring and personal items above your typical water backup levels.