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Why does the sewer flood my basement when it rains?

If your basement takes on water when it rains, there may be several contributing factors to blame. Often times, homes that have improper grading are more prone to flooding. Lots should be built up so that the house is on the highest point of the lot, but improper grading or changes in grading over time can cause water to run towards the house – making it more likely to seep in through cracks in the foundation or overflow a sump pump. There can also be drainage issues with the weeping tile around a home that allows water in. More often though, the pipes, sewer system or sump pump are to blame for a flooded basement after heavy rains.

Blocked Pipes

Blocked or obstructed pipes cause flow restriction, which can allow water to back up into your home. Bringing in an emergency plumber to diagnose the issue is the best route to take if you suspect that your pipes may be clogged or leaking. Emergency plumbers have tools that can help them access pipes that are hidden or buried effectively and know what they are looking for when they investigate a flooding situation. They can also determine if any pipes are cracked, broken or leaking.

Sump Pump

sump pump failure can allow water to enter your basement and accumulate that should have been pumped out upon entry. Check your sump pump regularly to ensure that it is working properly. If it regularly seems to be full of water, or the sump pump runs constantly, you may have a problem. Getting your sump pump fixed before there is an issue can save you a lot of money in the long run because you can avoid the need for a basement flood restoration.

Backup

Sewer backups can cause not only a flooded basement, but also sewage to be forced into a home through blocked sewer pipes, creating a serious health hazard for your family. If black water enters your home, you should call a local emergency plumber for help immediately before coming into contact with any of the contaminated water.

Call USA Plumbing & Sewer Inc at 1 (800) 674-9130 if you have a flooded basement and need local emergency plumbers and restoration experts. We’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.


Additional resources:
What kind of damage does a leak cause?
Fixing home water damage before mold growth occurs
Emergency plumbing scenarios
Repeated basement flooding
Basement flooding even with a sump pump
The cost of sewer line repair
Roto rooting explained
Roto rooting or hydrojetting?
Replacing a sump pump
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line repair?
Replacing your sump pump
Cleaning out a sump pump
Roots growing in sewer pipes
How does rain affect plumbing?
Should a sump pump keep water out?
Getting emergency plumbing help
Sump pump repair
Rodding a clogged sewer line
Replacing your sump pump
Buying a new sump pump
Sewer jetting services
When should sewer lines be jetted?
Explanation of all hours plumbing rates
How to find a local emergency plumber
Common emergency plumbing situations
How urgent is burst pipe repair?
Emergency plumbing services guide