basement flood mystery.

As a result of last week’s torrential rain, my basement severely flooded.  Granted that my property, which I recently purchased, is located in a low lying part of Brooklyn where the streets flood from overwhelmed storm drains, I thought I had taken most of the precautions necessary to avoid flooding. I have checkvalve on my main sewer connect to prevent backflow from overwhelmed sewer during storms.  Almost all of my rainwater from the roof is getting drained to the back of the property by gutter system.  And the rest going into backyard drains linked to my sewer. This last storm the water rose out of the basement subfloor pit where the main sewer and water main connection is located.  My guess is that the sewage checkvalve was engaged from the storm; however the rainfall water from the backyard drains was trying to get out but could not.   Though the water in the basement toilets and shower drain did rise — it did not overflow.  However, water rose from the subfloor pit somehow and flooded the basement with 6″ of water.  Mostly rain water since there were so many leaves and was mostly clear. Could this be a broken pipe under there from the pressure?  Or, could it be what my neighbor suggested, that the water table under my house rose fast and overflowed and receded just as quickly. Is that possible?  Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

miguelsno

in Plumbers and Plumbing 12 years and 11 months ago

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miguelsno | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Is it possible that the earth was so soaked from rain that the overall ground level water rose and flooded the basement? Not sure because I thought ground level and water table is way below ground.

Townie | 12 years and 11 months ago

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I have seen cases where the rear downspout has an open seam that only leaks when under pressure from a heavy rain.   Winter ice can expand and cause this.   If your basement is flooding I wouldn’t worry about whether it’s legal to discharge into the street.  Cut a small 2 inch hole in your basement hatch and hook up a hose to a portable submersible pump.

parkslopemom | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Happens to us and neighbors all the time, and we’re at the top of the Slope. Sewer lines can’t handle flow, everyone’s check valves engage, and all the water from the roof coming down at high force feeding into the outgoing sewer lines has nowhere to go. It’s illegal to re-direct your downspout out into the yard, or anywhere except your outgoing sewer line. It all ends up either in the cellar, or coming up through drains, tubs, sinks, etc. Sump pumps also have to be tied into outgoing sewer lines, so they can’t pump out until the city line clears and the check valves open up. If anyone has a proposal fro re-directing the roof water in a legal way, I’d love to hear.

miguelsno | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks for the reply. In addition to assessing if we have  broken pipe under the house where backyard water entered the house, the sump pump is next step in the subfloor pit as a precaution.  Hopefully we will find a broken pipe so there is a reason how fast the water came in.  If not, mystery continues.

Townie | 12 years and 11 months ago

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I think your guess is right. If there is a way to divert the water from the roof so that it doesn’t go through your house line, that might help.   Have you installed a sump pump in the basement?