Record Rain - Flooded Basements

[chords]

Here in SE Mich the rain hit last Mon nite and thousands upon thousands of basements were flooded with raw sewage. My neighborhood was hit hard. I had 16 " but heard from others that had it up to within inches of the basement ceiling. 20 yard dumpsters and PILES of stuff line the streets. Just a disaster zone, really. Doesnt make the news but very real as the cleanup continues. Washer, dryer, hot water, furnace. And my stuff.
And I was prob one of the few that had $5,500 sewage backup ins coverage. Just a plug for Allstate that has been pretty seamless thru out. My first claim after paying and paying every year. A few phone calls where they acually called me and questions and very casual because of the situation here and have sent checks in the mail with no documentation so far.

 

[russholio]

We lucked out. Only a minor stream that ran from the shower drain to the floor drain (not sure why the floor drain didn't back up). Ruined a few things, but nothing major and nothing of any real value. No standing water at all. Next door neighbor just spent 15-20k refinishing his basement earlier this season and it's shot. I guess somebody was watching over us.

 

[MZEMS2]

And drought conditions here in south central WI going on at the same time. I feel your pain though. Been there and done that. But back in 08, we were completely flooded out. Lost the house, along with many neighbors as well, and the neighborhood was "bought out" by FEMA. Here's a couple pics we snapped 3 days after the main rains subsided. I can just picture the dumpsters in your neighborhood...best wishes!

 

[I Doo]

You should install back flow preventer in main drain line. This would stop the back up of sewer into basement.

 

[snocrazy]

Here in SE Mich the rain hit last Mon nite and thousands upon thousands of basements were flooded with raw sewage. My neighborhood was hit hard. I had 16 " but heard from others that had it up to within inches of the basement ceiling. 20 yard dumpsters and PILES of stuff line the streets. Just a disaster zone, really. Doesnt make the news but very real as the cleanup continues. Washer, dryer, hot water, furnace. And my stuff.
And I was prob one of the few that had $5,500 sewage backup ins coverage. Just a plug for Allstate that has been pretty seamless thru out. My first claim after paying and paying every year. A few phone calls where they acually called me and questions and very casual because of the situation here and have sent checks in the mail with no documentation so far.

Allstate can be expensive but when you need them, they take care of you.
Sorry to hear you are facing such a nightmare. Last week when the interstates were closed due to flooding, it was reported that big copper pipes were stolen from major pumping stations and a contributor to the flooding. Look in to this, there may be some liability there on the city side.

 

[frosty]

Allstate can be expensive but when you need them, they take care of you.
Sorry to hear you are facing such a nightmare. Last week when the interstates were closed due to flooding, it was reported that big copper pipes were stolen from major pumping stations and a contributor to the flooding. Look in to this, there may be some liability there on the city side.

Isn't that a shame, the one thing that helps everyone, a lift station, someone steals the essential parts to keep it running. Oh....but the economy is getting better........sure!

Will that backup preventer work on a septic? Does it work like a check valve in a sump pump?

 

[I Doo]

Yes. That is just what it is. We had flooding here in spring. We have installed 3 of these this last spring.

 

[durphee]

you should check to see what type of municipal sewer sytem you have. Some are connected to storm water runoff, not an ideal situation. Some municipalities have separate storm water and sewer water lines, more expensive but then there shouldn't be any reason for sewage to backup into your house from a rain event; unless illegal sump pump hookups.

 

[chords]

The water was bubbling, geyser like, up and out of the toilet. And I wasnt home until just after the rains stopped. 6 inches in few hours overwhelmed the system. My basement not "finished" but still was used often.

I put in hot water heater yesterday, parts and heaters hard to find. Next will be washer dryer and furnace.

And of course the scrubbing. I heard bleach is no longer recommended. Just detergent based solution ??