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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Basement Plumbing:
General Basement Plumbing
Backwater Valve (Flapper Valve)
Ejector Pumps
Standpipes
Financing Sewer Backup Solutions and Effects on Property Value
Understanding City Sewer Systems:
General Questions About City Sewer
Systems
Combined Sewer Systems
General Questions
What is sewer backup?
Sewer backup occurs when the water level in city sewer rises above the level of the basement floor. The sewage from the city sewer seeks its own level and enters the basement, causing water and sewage damage.
How can I fix my basement flooding?
You need to hire a plumber you can trust. He will give you a solution with its cost. You can ask your friends, relatives, and neighbors who may have had the same problem. I can refer your name to a plumber in southeast Michigan whom I trust. I can review the proposed repair with you. Once one person in a neighborhood finds a good solution, others usually install the same system.
Can you meet with groups to discuss the possible solutions to the basement flooding problem?
Yes, in southeast Michigan. I can meet with one family or groups of
people. I have a 15-minute presentation that explains the sewer backup
problem and why it is so difficult to solve.
Is the basement flooding ever my responsibility?
Yes. The portion of the sewer pipe from your basement to the property line is your responsibility. It is on private property. If it fails, it is your responsibility to hire a plumber to fix it. Sometimes this pipe gets clogged with roots or collapses from age.
Can I protect my basement from sewer backup?
Yes. One protective measure is to install a valve in the pipe connection
to the city sewer. You will need to close that valve if there is a heavy downpour.
There are other protective measures that are automatic.
Does sewage contain coliform bacteria?
Yes.
Does footing drain water contain coliform bacteria?
It is not likely.
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