Signs you need this
- Pump short-cycling or humming without moving water
- Water standing in the pit after rain
- Sewage pushing up through the floor drain
- Check valve slamming after every cycle
Kit on the van, and the method
- Pit liner, check valve and union fittings
- Float switch and alarm tester
- Wet vac and pump-out hose
- Backwater valve access-lid tools
Before we leave: Hose-fill the crock until the float lifts, then time a full start, empty and shut-off cycle.
Sort the source first
Basement water arrives by one of four routes, and each has a different fix:
- Sewer backup. Foul water welling up through the floor drain or the lowest toilet.
- Groundwater. Clean seepage along the cove joint or a crack, frequently because the sump quit.
- Supply leak. A burst pipe, failed washer hose or leaking water heater.
- Surface water. Rain running toward the house from poor grading or a downspout dumping at the wall.
Safety before cleanup
If water is near the electrical panel, outlets or a furnace, keep out and have the power cut by the utility or an electrician. Sewer water is a germ soup, so put on rubber boots and gloves, and keep kids and animals upstairs. Photograph everything before moving it, for your insurer.
Plumbing repairs we carry out
| Cause found | Repair |
|---|---|
| Main blockage causing backup | Clear the main, camera it, repair defects |
| Street sewer surcharge | Install a backwater valve |
| Failed or overwhelmed sump | Repair or replace pump, add battery backup |
| Burst supply line | Cut out and replace the damaged pipe, address the cause |
| Water heater failure | Replace the tank, add a pan and leak sensor |
After the water is gone
Drywall, insulation and carpet that soaked up sewage generally need to come out; a restoration company handles drying and mould prevention. We focus on making sure the source is fixed so the restored room stays dry. Once the cleanup is done, flush the floor drain and refill its trap so sewer gas cannot come back up.
For prevention, our basement flood prevention note is a full checklist, and backwater valve installation covers the single most effective upgrade.