Unexpected Water In Your Basement?

7/14/2017 (Permalink)

https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/flooded-basement-how-to-deal-with-common-causes

State Farm Insurance posted on their website the following on unexpected water in your basement?

“If the water is coming up through floor drains or sink drains in the basement, then the problem is often water backing up from the municipal sanitary sewer system. During heavy rains, combined sewer systems can become overwhelmed with water. This can cause sewer water to back up in the system and sometimes into homes.

There are other possible explanations, too. Sewer backups can be caused by individual service lines being plugged by grease, waste, tree roots, breaks in pipes or saturated ground. Sewer mains can also be plugged by vandalism or large items dropped down manholes.

This kind of flooding is an enormous problem for homeowners, as it's largely out of your control and probably means fecal waste backing up into basements. Not only is it disgusting, but it can also be a serious health hazard.

In order to keep your individual lines clear, you can install backflow preventers that help stop sewer water from flowing backward into the house. Proper maintenance of your individual lines - for example, pouring tree root killer down your toilets once a year - can also go a long way in preventing sewage backups. Still, the problem is often out of your control.

Sewage in your basement means a major cleanup and a lot of uncertainty about future problems. If it's something you've seen in your home, you'll have to get your city government involved. At the very least, be aware of the problem and don't leave anything valuable near your downstairs drains.”  To read this information and more on flooded basements, click this link: https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/flooded-basement-how-to-deal-with-common-causes

SERVPRO of Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights 216-464-4498 can help clean up the mess!