August 20, 2019
Agency
How to Avoid Water Backup
Avoiding Water Backup
Water backup occurs when the water around the foundation of your home exceeds the capacity of removal systems to drain it. It can occur from surface water seeping into foundation walls or sewer systems overflowing up through drains in the basement.
Preventing Water Backup
- Maintain gutters and downspouts, keeping them free of debris and leaves and repairing them if they are sagging.
- Inspect your gutters’ capacity – after fifteen minutes of heavy rain, if water overflows the gutters, install additional downspouts.
- Extend downspouts at least ten feet away from the house.
- Adjust landscaping and irrigation so that water flows away from the foundation.
- Drain subsurface groundwater and storm water with a sump pump system that has battery backup and replacement warnings.
- Run your sump pump every few months and clean it annually before the rainy season.
- Prevent backflow of sanitary sewer water by installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, including sinks and toilets.
- Prepare your basement “just in case” by raising your washer, dryer, water heater, oil tank, furnace, all electrical wiring and personal items above typical water backup levels.
Recovering From Water Backup