Basement flooding


  #1  
Old 11-13-02, 06:39 AM
darjongol
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Basement flooding

We recently had a rainstorm and as a result our basement sewer pipe backed up. The city works department inspected the problem and noted that we share our main drain with our neighbours, i.e. they and us have pipes which join in a "V" to the main pipe connected to the sewer system. Last year we had the downspouts of our eavestroughs disconnected so that leaves, etc. would not get into the sewer system but the neighbours have not. In addition to water in our basement we had some leaves, small pinecones, etc. deposited on our floor. Also a plumber told us two years ago that we have a building trap outside our house which was probably put in when the house was built 80 years ago. He suggested we have it removed because it is impossible to run a snake out to the main pipe when one is there. The city engineer indicated that the flooding was likely caused by a blockage from the joint pipe from by leaves, etc. in it. If this is the case, I am concerned that removing the trap might allow for greater flooding in the event of a similar situation. Or does the trap cause the blockage?
 
  #2  
Old 11-13-02, 06:48 AM
Mike Swearingen's Avatar
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Cool

The trap is to prevent sewer gas from getting back into your home, but all of your fixtures by now should have individual traps on them anyway, so you don't necessarily need it.
This building trap, if it for your home only, should not be causing the blockage, but if it is shared with your neighbor, it probably is.
If you have this trap removed, you will probably need one installed for your basement floor drain, if it doesn't have one (pour water down it to see if any stands in any existing trap).
Try to get your neighbor to remove the downspout from your common drain line. That will help greatly.
Good Luck!
Mike
 
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Old 11-13-02, 07:45 PM
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I am a little confused... (nothing new, right?)... but here in Georgia, it is both against code and against the law to combine storm and sewer drains... but is that what you are saying was done in your house 80+ years ago? Your gutter downspouts AND your neighbor's BOTH connect to a common sewer that also serves as a floor drain and such for your basement?
 
 

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