Who's the flood controliest?
August 5, 2010 7:57 AM Subscribe
Can any Chicago folks recommend a contractor to install a sewer backup preventer or flood control system?
Like many folks in Chicago(and other midwestern areas), my basement got some water when the sewer backed up during our huge rainstorm a couple weeks ago. We've only been in this place for about 3 months, so it's pretty bad timing, but there isn't ever good timing for this kind of thing. Anyway, we'd like to prevent this problem from happening again so we can continue to use our basement. It seems like the best way to do this is to have a flood control system installed...basically a one-way valve that automatically shuts when the sewer starts to back up.
We've gotten a name or two from friends and neighbors, but I'd also like to get suggestions from strangers. Hopefully you'll corroborate some of the recommendations we've already gotten, and also suggest other good people so we can effectively price-compare.
I'd also be interested to know about your experiences with such a system. Are they as fool-proof as they seem? Do they really keep everything out or does water still get through? Does anyone have a different solution that works for them?
Like many folks in Chicago(and other midwestern areas), my basement got some water when the sewer backed up during our huge rainstorm a couple weeks ago. We've only been in this place for about 3 months, so it's pretty bad timing, but there isn't ever good timing for this kind of thing. Anyway, we'd like to prevent this problem from happening again so we can continue to use our basement. It seems like the best way to do this is to have a flood control system installed...basically a one-way valve that automatically shuts when the sewer starts to back up.
We've gotten a name or two from friends and neighbors, but I'd also like to get suggestions from strangers. Hopefully you'll corroborate some of the recommendations we've already gotten, and also suggest other good people so we can effectively price-compare.
I'd also be interested to know about your experiences with such a system. Are they as fool-proof as they seem? Do they really keep everything out or does water still get through? Does anyone have a different solution that works for them?
Backflow (or backwash) valves are pretty common, and is actually required by code in many areas. Oddly, some locations don't allow the valves. YMMV.
They are typically set into the sewer line that comes out from your house and joins the main. They will have to dig-up your yard to install it, and you will have to get the proper permits. A good contractor should first run a camera down your sewer connection to see if you don't already have a valve in place (and, if so, why it didn't work properly.)
Backflow valves can fail (as can any mechanical device, really) But, in my experience, failure is rare.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:31 AM on August 5, 2010
They are typically set into the sewer line that comes out from your house and joins the main. They will have to dig-up your yard to install it, and you will have to get the proper permits. A good contractor should first run a camera down your sewer connection to see if you don't already have a valve in place (and, if so, why it didn't work properly.)
Backflow valves can fail (as can any mechanical device, really) But, in my experience, failure is rare.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:31 AM on August 5, 2010
I feel your pain. I'm in the SW burbs and just ordered two of the two inch float type valves seen here. Also, here are some other things you might want to look at. A few years ago I bought two of these as well from Home Depot. I put them by the sewer drains and they shriek when water hits the metal contacts on the bottom. Really loud too. The alarms are what allowed me to catch the water when it was first coming into my basement this past Monday night. I started my floor pumps (no sump pump in my house) right away and only had a thin layer of water over the basement rather than a foot or two. This is what prompted me to buy the float valves above. I'm hoping the float valves stop the backups for good.
As you can see, I'm trying to do all I can to avoid the $12k I was quoted for the overhead sewer retrofit to my house.
(I'm not affiliated in any way with any of the above links)
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 1:36 AM on August 6, 2010
As you can see, I'm trying to do all I can to avoid the $12k I was quoted for the overhead sewer retrofit to my house.
(I'm not affiliated in any way with any of the above links)
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 1:36 AM on August 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Here are some resources:
http://www.woodriver.org/floodinfo/protectproperty/basementflooding.htm
http://www.evereadyfloodcontrol.com/faq.html#8
Trust me, I know what you're talkin about. My parents deal with this with the slightest of rain. Not fun replacing furnaces, washer/dryer, water heaters twice in one year and then the clean up when you're pushing 80 years old and have heart issues.
Good luck. Sorry I don't have a plumber for you.
posted by stormpooper at 8:27 AM on August 5, 2010