Flood Proofing Guide

Flood protection starts at home by realizing the importance of maintaining your private sewer. The private sewer is the connection from your property to the main sewer, usually in the middle of the street.

People often mistakenly believe that the city maintains this connection. However, care and maintenance of the private sewer–from your home to where it connects to the main sewer–is the property owner’s responsibility. Homeowners have individual ownership of their private sewers, even where these sewers run under the public right-of-way.

Sewage back-ups in your basement can be reduced by keeping the private sewer clear of tree roots, grease and other materials and by repairing broken sewer segments.

You should have your private sewer inspected regularly. Any private catch basin on your property should also be inspected and cleaned regularly. A licensed plumbing contractor can inspect your private sewer and either clean it or make repairs.

Get estimates from more than one plumbing contractor before doing any work, and make sure to select a contractor that is licensed and bonded. If you have questions or complaints about a contractor, you can call your local building department. In Hammond, call 219-853-6316. In Munster call 219-836-8810, Ext. 3700.

Basements flood when the private sewer from the home to the main sewer becomes blocked or flooded. This can occur during the following circumstances:

• Blockage in the private sewer reduces its capacity to transport water.
• Too much flow enters the private sewer due to sump pumps, downspout connections or foundation drains.
• The main sewer fills beyond capacity, flooding the private sewer through which sewage can flow into your basement.

The Sanitary District is in the process of studying methods to reduce the likelihood of the main sewers being filled beyond capacity. However, it is the homeowners’ responsibility to maintain their private sewer connection and to disconnect any improper connections

Sewage back-ups in your basement can be reduced by keeping the private sewer clear of tree roots, grease and other materials and by repairing broken sewer segments.

You should have your private sewer inspected regularly. Any private catch basin on your property should also be inspected and cleaned regularly. A licensed plumbing contractor can inspect your private sewer and either clean it or make repairs.

Get estimates from more than one plumbing contractor before doing any work, and make sure to select a contractor that is licensed and bonded. If you have questions or complaints about a contractor, you can call your local building department. In Hammond, call 219-853-6316. In Munster, call 836-8810, Ext. 3700.

• Disconnecting Downspouts
  Basement flooding is a destructive, irritating mess for the homeowner, and a public health issue of serious concern to the HSD. Increasing the travel time of your storm water decreases the likelihood that the main sewer will fill up. A failure to disconnect downspouts increases the likelihood of flooding. In most cases, disconnecting downspouts is a simple and inexpensive undertaking. Disconnection is frequently accomplished as a do-it-yourself project using common materials available in many local hardware stores. Costs will vary with the number of connected downspouts.
• Sump Pumps
  Basement sumps which collect groundwater around the foundation should be disconnected from the private sewer. When a foundation sump is rerouted to return collected ground water to the yard, that water no longer takes up space in the sewer system. Basements are then less likely to flood, and the HSD avoids the cost of pumping and treating unnecessary flow. A licensed plumber can help you choose the best location for the sump outlet.
• Plugs
  Plugs are plastic or metal devices fitted into floor drains to prevent water back-up. They are useful if the flooding source is a floor drain and past flooding has amounted to only a few inches of standing water in the basement. Plugs typically cost less than $10 are easy to install. If a plumber is used to install the plugs, the cost will be closer to $100.
• Standpipes
  
  

  Typical Use of Standpipe and Pedestal

  Standpipes are lengths of pipe open at the top and usually screwed into the basement floor drain. A standpipe allows the flow in a private sewer to back up as high as necessary for relief without filling the basement with flood water. Standpipes typically cost $100 to $200 and are easy to install. Your licensed plumber can recommend the appropriate installation conditions for your home.
• Toilet Pedestals
  If the flooding source is a basement toilet, greater flood protection can be offered by raising the toilet off the basement floor onto a pedestal. The pedestal itself can be fashioned from a variety of construction materials. Installation also requires an extension pipe on the toilet flange. Installation costs will typically be less than $500.

Valves use a gate-like device to keep water from backing up into your basement. There are a number of types of valves.

• An automatic back up (check) valve closes as soon as water begins to back up into the private sewer from the main sewer. This valve is also most effective without any connected downspouts. Costs typically range from $1000 to $2000.
• The combination automatic backwater valve and a sewage ejector pump are another option. If you have downspouts or outside drains, they should be disconnected. This unit operates when the backwater valve closes and flows from plumbing fixtures, etc., build up to a level behind the valve that activates the ejector pump. The pump is able to pump water against the pressure of the sewer backwater. Costs typically range from $2000 to $5000.

Note: The disc of the automatic valve and combination automatic valve and sewage ejector needs to be frequently checked to ensure they are not being blocked by debris.

The overhead sewer system diverts sewage from plumbing fixtures on the first and higher floors to a new sewer line run above the basement floor. This line is connected, either in the basement or outside the foundation, to the private sewer as it leaves the building.

• The old sewer system is sealed. Any drainage from the basement level is pumped into the overhead sewer. All drains from upper floors must be re-routed.
• Power outages will cause pumps to fail but upstairs plumbing fixtures may still be used. Only basement plumbing fixtures cannot be used. A check valve in the pump discharge pipe prevents water from flowing back toward the basement sump.

This system is probably the most effective, but also the most expensive. The cost to implement this option typically ranges from $2000 to $6000, depending on the existing plumbing configuration.

Here are additional tips to help prevent minor flooding:

• Never dump anything into street or alley sewers.
• Leaves, grass clippings, motor oil, paint or other items can block the sewer and cause backups.
• Paint, solvents, antifreeze or motor oil can pose a hazard to sewer workers and disrupt the treatment process.
• Hazardous household chemicals can be dropped off periodically at locations throughout Lake County. For information on the proper way to dispose of household chemicals, please call your local recycling department. In Hammond call 219-853-6622 or in Munster call 219-836-8810 – Ext. 3706
• Make sure street gutters and sewer grates are clear of debris. When these structures are blocked, street flooding can occur.
• If you have a private catch basin, clean it regularly and have it inspected once a year.
• Do not pour your cooking oil or grease, household or automotive chemicals into a house drain or toilet for disposal. Doing so may create a hazardous condition in your plumbing system.
• If you live near an unmanned HSD pump station, you may be able to provide an early warning to any disruption in service. If you notice any vandalism, power outage or other unusual condition, please call us at 219-853-6413.