How to Prevent Sewer Backups After a Storm

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

After a major storm in Washington, your basement may experience flooding. The fluid that enters your home may not be clean water, either. If the water contains a foul smell, you may be dealing with a sewage backup.
Emergency restoration professionals are available to sanitize and deodorize your property. While your homeowners' insurance policy likely covers sewer cleaning services, making a sewage claim could increase your premiums in the future. In extreme circumstances, the insurance provider may refuse to renew your policy. This could leave you on the hook for storm damage expenses in the future. Consider using the following precautions in order to prevent sewer water from backing into your home.

1. Standpipes
Standpipes are surrounded by a rubber seal and placed inside the floor drain. During a flood, water that leaves the drain goes into the pipe instead of your basement.

2. Backwater Valves
A backflow prevention valve is a more expensive option. It typically requires a construction permit and installation by a licensed plumber. However, the cost pales in comparison to the thousands of dollars you could spend after a sewage backup.

3. Floor Drain Plugs
Contrastingly, a floor drain plug is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent sewer water from entering your house. Place a one-way plug below the drain grate before the storm arrives. The plug contains a float that deactivates once the sewer water subsides.

4. Overhead Sewers
This is the most effective yet also most costly option. This system collects sewer overflow into the sump below the floor level. The water is then pumped into overhead pipes and drained into the main sewer line. As with the backwater valve, installing an overhead sewer requires a permit and a plumber

A sewage backup is a nasty consequence of storms. To keep your home clean and limit your insurance claims, you should reduce the odds of dirty water entering your basement during a flood.

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