Flooded Basement: Storm Water or Sewer Water
In a bad storm, there are two municipal systems than can back up and flood your basement. The first storm water, comes from when the city storm drains cannot handle the amount of rain and the water backs up in your home. The second is sewer water. Like storm water flooding, sewer water backs up when the sewage systems become flooded from too much rain.
Storm Water
Storm water is rare in most parts of the country because it usually only affects homes built before the 1800s. However, in Maryland, with all the historic homes, this is a more common problem locally than in other parts of the country. Old homes tend to have a perimeter foundation drain. This is a drain that runs from the house to the street where it is connected with the municipal storm drainage system. During heavy rains, sometimes the city storm drains will flood causing water to back up in the house and flood the basement.
Luckily there is a remedy for storm water flooding. Updating your home’s water management system is the key. An interior sump pump can be installed to pump the water before the basement floods from storm water.
Sewer Water
Sewer water flooding is more common across the country. Unfortunately, unlike storm water, sewer water can create a health hazard. A sewer water flood can come from the sewers that handle our sanitation being flooded, causing a sewer backup into your home through sinks, drains, toilets, and even your plumbing pipes. This flooding usually unsanitary fecal matter and can be very disgusting and difficult to clean.
Luckily, like storm water, sewer water flooding can be prevented. Backflow preventers can be installed keep sewer water from flooding into your home during a storm.
Neither flooding caused by storm water nor sewer water is ideal. Both can cause severe damage to your home. If you have an older home, you may want to investigate the possibilities of installing a sump pump and a backflow preventer. The experts at AA Action Waterproofing can inspect your home and recommend what steps to take so your home and possession are not ruined by municipal flooding.