Basement Flooding Archives - Scottish Plumber

April Showers Bring…Backed Up Sewers?!

Spring is almost here again and the one thing we can count on is that water will fall from the sky! Chicago has averaged close to 37 inches of rain per year over the last 30 years with approximately 2/3 of it coming in the spring and summer months, and these figures are trending upwards.

More rain means more problems for the already inundated system of Chicago sewers. With every major storm, it seems, some municipal storm and sanitary sewers become filled to capacity and pressurized, and too often the path of least resistance leads the sewer water directly into someone’s basement.

What can homeowners do? For starters, you should have your main sewer line cleaned and video-inspected to ensure that it is structurally sound and unobstructed. April showers may bring May flowers, but they also cause tree roots to grow faster which can wreak havoc inside of a sewer pipe. Having the sewer rodded can prevent backups caused by tree roots before they even happen.

A clean sewer, however, will not stop a backup from a pressurized city sewer. The only measure against flooding from city sewers is the installation of a flood control system, or the conversion of the sewer to an overhead system.

The Scottish Plumber offers several different options for flood control. Call us today for a sewer rodding and video inspection service (starting at $99 with an outside access), and ask for a free estimate for a flood control system. We can find an option that fits both your needs and your budget, and lets you keep your mind on the flowers when the spring showers come.

The Scottish Plumber’s Tramco Flood Control Systems Will Give You the Peace of Mind You’ve Been Looking For

When it comes to Chicago flood control, the Tramco Pump Company is a local icon. Tramco has been building pumps for the Chicago market since the 1950’s and their systems are designed to handle the kind of conditions that only Chicago weather can bring.

Besides sump pumps, ejector pumps, and batter backup systems, the Tramco Pump Company also manufactures the 900 series of flood control systems. These systems can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on homeowner preference and the configuration of the existing pipes. The Tramco 950 is typically installed in the front yard, while the 960 is installed in the basement floor. Each unit comes with a heavy-duty pump enclosed in an aluminum encasement, and the flow is controlled with a system of check valves. The Tramco flood control system keeps city sewers from backing up into your basement, while allowing waste to continue exiting your home.

Tramco systems are extremely reliable and Tramco, along with the Scottish Plumber, guarantee each system for 10 years with both parts and installation covered. And while most flood control systems require regular maintenance, such as cleaning the lines, and lubricating the check valves, the Tramco system is virtually maintenance-free.

For a free estimate on installing a Tramco flood control system or any other type of flood control such as our double-check valve system, sump pumps, ejector pumps, or battery backups, give us a call at 888-451-6137 or contact us here.

10 Ways to Stop Basement Flooding

1. Make sure you have a working sump pump.

2. Make sure your sump pump pit is properly sized.

3. Clean out the bottom of the sump pump pit to prevent debris from entering the pump.

4. Install a battery back-up system to ensure that your sump pump continues working
during power loss.

5. Have your foundation inspected for cracks.

6. Have your drain tile inspected.

7. Convert to overhead sewer to prevent city sewers from backing up into your basement.

8. Install a double-check valve flood control system.

9. Install a Tramco flood control system.

10. Move somewhere where it doesn’t rain. Note: try the previous nine options first!

Chicago Flood Control Help – The Spring Is Here!!!

Here in Chicago we dread our winters. That’s why when the old man came and went with barely a whimper, we all let out a collective sigh of relief. No snowmaggedon this year!!!

But, that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, weather-wise. The strange winter could be a harbinger of more weird weather to come. That means the potential for many torrential downpours, thunderstorms, and flash floods. And that’s not very good news for the aging municipal storm sewer systems all over Chicagoland.

In just the last two years, we’ve seen some of the worst flooding to ever hit Chicago. Last year’s July storms hit homeowners harder and flooded more basements than most of us had ever experienced. City sewers became filled to capacity and overflowed into people’s homes. To prevent the same from happening this year, be proactive.

If you’ve experienced basement flooding in the past, and you’ve done nothing to address the underlying cause, then you can expect more of the same. There are different reasons for basement flooding, but each one of them has a solution. You can find more information here on our flood control page or on our sump pump page.

This year, make the right decision, and have your home inspected by a flood control specialist. If you call The Scottish Plumber, the assessment is free, and we will present you with several options to help fit your needs and your budget. You won’t regret it, and you’ll finally be able to stop building that ark.