Downpours Overflowing Your Drains? Find Out Why Here

The sound of gurgling drains as dirty water bubbles up into your sink is never a welcome occurrence. But when this happens every time it rains heavily, it becomes a real nuisance. If you're tired of wet, smelly basements and backed up plumbing whenever there's a downpour, you're not alone.

Across many communities, heavy rainfall often coincides with headaches for homeowners as their drains overflow and sewage backups occur. But what causes this to happen, and what can you do to stop the problem?

How Municipal Sewer Systems Work

To understand why heavy rains cause drains to backup, you first need to know a little bit about how municipal wastewater systems work. Sewer systems are designed to transport all the sewage and wastewater from homes, businesses, and industry to treatment plants. Underground sewer pipes carry everything from toilet flushes to sink and shower water. Storm drains collect surface rainwater and runoff and divert it away from treatment plants.

Key Parts of the Sewer System

Some key components of municipal sewer systems include:

• Wastewater treatment plants - Where sewage is treated before being discharged
• Underground sewer pipes - Networks that carry wastewater and sewage
• Storm drains - Systems to capture and divert rainwater runoff
• Sewer cleanouts - Access points to clear blockages

Sewer systems are designed to handle normal everyday flows and peaks. But during severe rainstorms, the capacity of the system can be exceeded.

Why Heavy Rains Cause Backups

When torrential rainfall occurs over a short time period, large volumes of water rush into the sewers. The high rate of flow exceeds the sewers' capacity. All of this excess water has to go somewhere - and sometimes, that means backflowing into home drain lines. Here are some key reasons heavy rains can overwhelm sewers and cause backups:

Volume Exceeds Capacity

The sheer amount of water from a major storm simply outpaces what the sewers were designed to handle. When excessive stormwater enters the system rapidly, it can flow backward into homes through basement fixtures and floor drains.

Debris Buildup

Fallen leaves, litter, and sediment often wash into sewers during rainstorms. Over time, this debris accumulates and restricts the capacity of pipes. Narrowed sewer lines are more prone to backups during peak flows.

Existing Sewer Issues

Sometimes, heavy rainfall isn't the only factor involved. If underlying issues like pipe breaks, blockages, or bottlenecks already exist, it takes less water to trigger overflows and backups in affected areas. Damaged sewer lines in older neighborhoods are especially vulnerable.

Signs You're Experiencing a Sewer Backup

How do you know if you're getting a sewage backup and it's not just a normal household clog? Here are some of the most common signs:

• Sewage odors - Foul smells emanating from sinks, tubs, and floor drains are a telltale sign of a backup.
• Gurgling sounds - Strange noises from drain pipes can indicate wastewater is not flowing properly.
• Water around drains - Standing water around floor drains may mean sewage is overflowing from the main line.
• Very slow drainage - When water takes forever to go down, it could point to a blockage.
• Water bubbling up - Sewage actually overflowing from drains is an emergency.

If you observe any of these issues during or after heavy rainfall, it likely indicates you're getting a sewer backup.

Health and Safety Hazards

Raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Having it back up into your home comes with significant health risks. Other hazards include:

• Contaminating floors, walls, and furnishings
• Damaging household plumbing systems
• Causing electrical issues if water contacts appliances or outlets

To avoid contact with contaminated wastewater, keep your family and pets away from affected areas. Never attempt to use plumbing fixtures or appliances that may be flooded until repairs can be made.

Preventing Rain-Related Sewage Backups

While a single massive rainstorm can certainly cause backups, frequent sewer overflows during wet weather likely indicate an underlying issue. Here are some ways you may be able to reduce rain-related backups:

Install a Backflow Valve

A backflow valve installed on the home's main sewer line can prevent sewage from reversing course and backing up into the property. This device allows flow in only one direction.

Disconnect Downspouts

Redirecting roof gutter downspouts so they discharge onto the lawn instead of into drains can reduce the load on your sewer line during storms.

Extend Discharge Pipes

Ensuring sump pumps and other water discharge pipes empty well away from the home's foundation can help prevent excess water from pooling and infiltrating drains.

Clear Pipe Obstructions

Regular sewer line maintenance such as pipe cleaning, root removal, and repairing cracks or misalignments can maximize flow capacity and reduce backup risk.

In chronic problem areas, larger infrastructure solutions like sewer system expansion and separating stormwater lines may be needed to comprehensively address the issue.

What To Do After a Sewage Backup

If you experience a sickening sewer backup, take these steps to start the recovery process:

• Call a plumber immediately so they can diagnose the problem and get your drains flowing properly again.
• Document damage thoroughly for your insurance claim.
• Begin cleanup using disinfectants, water extraction, and mold prevention.
• Make any necessary repairs to flooring, drywall, etc.

With the right precautions, your family can stay healthy and your property protected from the mess and harm caused by sewer backups.

While the occasional basement flooding from a huge storm may be unavoidable, frequent sewer backups whenever it rains likely indicate an underlying issue on your property or in the municipal sewer system. By understanding what causes the problem and taking proactive steps to maximize drainage capacity, you can spare yourself endless headaches.