Flood waters leave scars that can run deeper than most puddles on your basement floor. The damage lingers after the waters recede, affecting the value of your home, threatening your possessions and filling you with anxiety every time the sky turns gray and the deluge begins.
For some, there are no solutions: Flood plains are flood plains and there`s no cure yet for a river that decides to ignore its banks.
But for most, the trouble usually isn`t a torrent but a trickle-the pesky leaks and sewer backups that soak basement carpeting, warp drywall and leave you mopping for hours. For these, there are inexpensive solutions that can be accomplished by even the novice do-it-yourselfer.
The following guide to solving you`re flooding problems is drawn from literature distributed by the Illinois Division of Water Resources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau. Together, they offer the best group of experts you`ll find in the Chicago area and all are available to consumers.
Essentially there are four ways that water can enter your home: through the drainage system`s sump pump; through backups in the sewer lines under the house; through cracks in the walls and floors; and over the surface of the ground through windows and doorways. Sometimes there`s only one source, and other times they act in combination, so it`s best to check all four when diagnosing your water problems.
Pumped up
The sump pump is the first line of defense against flooding, the most important link in a drainage system that collects and channels groundwater before it can seep through your basement walls and foundation. However, its direct connection with outside drainage also makes it a leading culprit in flooding.
A sump will usually back up for one of three reasons: it`s broken, the electricity fails or it`s simply overloaded.
Consistent maintenance is the best guard against pump failure. Most important, the screens inside the pump that filter dirt and debris should be cleaned regularly, especially during periods of heavy rain when the pump is working overtime. It`s an easy process, detailed in the manual that accompanied the pump. If your sump pump is clogged, it might as well not be there at all.
On the other hand, even the best sump pump is worthless when the power fails, as it commonly does during storms, when you`ll need it most. Both battery- and gasoline-powered generators can be purchased at most home centers as a backup.
If the power goes out, head to the basement and make sure that the secondary power unit is working properly. In the meantime, periodically test the unit to make sure the batteries have retained their charge.
If you choose to go with a gasoline-operated model, BEWARE: Make sure its exhaust leads outside to avoid hazardous, even deadly, buildup of carbon monoxide.
If you live in an area where there is an excess of groundwater drainage, one pump may not be enough to handle the load. A second or third pump, each with its own outflow pipe, should be installed.
In all cases, make sure that the outflow pipe discharges away from your house. Otherwise, the sump will just feed water directly back into the drainage system, and defeat its purpose.
In some areas, the sump must discharge into the storm sewers. That`s fine unless the storm sewers back up. To avoid flooding through the case, you might want to have a plumber install a backup valve to the storm sewer connection.
Check that line
Another cause of flash basement flooding are backups in the sewer line. In these cases, either the lines are too old and small to handle the load, or there is a clog or break in the line.
If flooding occurs through a basement drain while the dishwasher or washing machine is draining and a toilet is flushed, it`s a good sign that your sewer system is easily overloaded.
There are several ways to solve this.
First, have the system rodded out. In many cases, blockages in the line cut the volume of water that can be handled by the sewer. Rodding will clear the pipes, as well as indicate broken lines. For this kind of project, it`s best to call in a pro.
If the problem isn`t inside the house and backups still occur, consider that it`s a problem with the storm sewer system itself. That means it is out of your control and only defensive measures can be taken.
The easiest way to fight the flood is with a drain plug. Search the basement floor for drains-some might even be threaded to accept a screw-in plug-and plug them. A tight fit is the best fit, and the plugs can be purchased at any hardware.
But know this: With the floor drains plugged, a heavy rainfall and severe backup may send the water to seek out other openings (a sink, for instance).
Another solution is installing a stand-pipe. It`s simply a pipe screwed into the floor drain. It should be tall enough for the water to seek its own level (in the case of most floods that means street level).
Although less drastic than the plug, during heavy rainfall it can have the same side effect, merely diverting the water to another outlet.
Fill in those cracks
Even if the two major water recovery systems in your house are in good order, you`re still at risk. Cracks in basement walls and the foundation of your house can be major contributors to flooding woes.
A combination of time and unstable soil can lead to cracks in the walls and floors.
As long as the concrete surrounding the crack is stable and there is little chipping or breakaway, the application of caulking or concrete filler should be enough.
But larger cracks and crumbling concrete are danger signs of instability. They should be inspected by a contractor and probably indicate that a professional is needed to repair them.
Soil searching
More commonly, water seeps through the sill of basement windows, or through the seam where the foundation ends and the house begins. In these cases, it is most likely a case of topsoil piled too high near the house.
When the ground is saturated, the water rolls off the topsoil and either onto the sill or puts pressure on the seam between the foundation and house, and causes leaks and flooding.
The cure is simple but tiresome. Check the topsoil level close to the house. Make sure the level of the soil is below the foundation line. If it is not, use a shovel to clear it.
Though it may seem like a lot, the entire four-part checklist should take little more than an afternoon to complete. If you find problems that seem too big to tackle, call for help. In most cases, the solutions to flooding problems are easily conquered once they have been diagnosed.
The Illinois Division of Water Resources offers two free booklets on flood protection: ”Flooded Basements: A Homeowner`s Guide” and ”Protect Your Home From Flood Damage.”
Write the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Water Resources, 310 S. Michigan Ave., Room 1606, Chicago 60604.
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau is a clearinghouse for information on the plumbing industry and a fine referral service. For more information call 372-7331. –
