What To Do If Your Basement Drain Backs Up
You’ve got water coming into your basement and you’re wondering what to do. What could be causing this and how should I handle it? Let’s look at the common causes and the steps you need to take to solve the problem.
Most homes have one connection to the sewer system. Sewer water levels in this pipe are normally below the level of your basement floor. However, sometimes water levels in the sewers rise above this level due to physical changes. Gravity will push this extra water in the sewage pipe down, and out of the drain.
Reasons for Backups
Blockage – The most common reason for a basement drain back up is that there is something in the pipe. This can be household refuse or blockage due to something like tree roots that have grown into the line.
Sewers are full – Sewage pipes can only hold so much. If there have been heavy rains, the excess water in the sewer system overloads it.
Sump pump failure – Your sump pump may not be able to cope with the amount of water trying to come into the house, or it may fail from a power outage or faulty equipment.
Seepage – Water tables rise and fall all the time. When water levels are high, water can force itself through cracks and holes in the foundation. This is particularly true in older homes, however even newer foundations are susceptible if there are faults in the concrete. This will likely happen during heavy rains, ground-thaw or snow-melt periods. Land also settles over time, so water pools near the home, or downspouts from eavestroughs release water too close to the building.
Weeping tile failure – the weeping tiles around older buildings often deteriorate. This can include a partly, or fully, collapsed pipe or sediment plugging the pipes. As weeping tiles are designed to move water away from the structure, failed pipes can result in both groundwater and wastewater entering the basement through the floor drain.
What to Do
When you see what coming in the basement, clearly you want to know how it is getting there. Here are the things you should consider and do first:
- Stop using the water system – don’t use toilets and sinks unless it is absolutely necessary.
- How high is the water? – Is water is touching anything electrical, such as an electrical outlet, extension cord or baseboard heater? Stop right there and do not enter. Call a qualified electrician or your hydro service and have the electricity shut off. If the water level is low, wear rubber boots and step on dry areas. Do not touch anything electrical.
- Is the water near gas-fired equipment? If water is encroaching on your furnace, hot water heater or a gas stove, call your local gas service immediately.
- Has this happened before? If water keeps appearing in puddles in your basement, it is seeping in from the outside of your home. The water is forcing its way inside through holes and cracks in your home’s foundation. Contact a basement waterproofing and foundation repair professional. NuSite Waterproofing can help you solve this problem for a reasonable fee.
- How extreme is the flooding? Has the water stopped coming in, or is it still filling the basement? If the water is pooling, it is either seepage or backed up wastewater from your own home. If it is still rushing in, this suggests a more serious problem.
- Domestic wastewater – Your sewage line may be plugged by something that has been flushed down the toilet or accumulated food scraps stuck in the pipe. You can try chemical products to open the drain, but you will likely need to use a “snake” to unplug it. A snake is a spiral cable that is inserted into the pipe and twisted to rub against the interior to dislodge the obstruction. The pip may also be obstructed by roots invading the basement drain line. In this case, you will need to either rent a power snake with sharp cutting blades, or hire a service to come in do it for you.
- Extreme flooding – If water is pouring into your basement, you need to act quickly. Call a plumbing contractor. Whether the flooding is due to something caused by the public water service, or something on your own property, you need to get the water stopped now. Most municipalities will reimburse you for the cost of the plumber if it was due to their failed system. Next, call your city water and sewage department for assistance. They may be able to shut off water to the area. New homes are equipped with valves that do this automatically. Locate the building sewer clean-out caps for your home and make sure that they are accessible. Do not attempt to open the clean-out.
- Standing water – if it is safe to enter the area, mop up the water and disinfect it by adding small amounts of chlorine bleach. If water has gone beyond the concrete floor, these areas are susceptible to mold. Contact a professional flood damage restoration company.
- Insurance – if the flooding is extensive, take photographs of the damage and contact your insurance broker.
Clearly, flooding can be frustrating or devastating but it cannot be ignored. If you are fortunate enough to have a situation that can be remedied, attend to it now to avoid further problems down the line. Waterproofing and basement repairs are affordable and can save you thousands down the road.
Have questions about your basement drain or similar basement water problem? If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact us here for a free in-home inspection and estimate.
