Reducing Risk of Sewer Backups in Wet Weather

ROANOKE, VA—During wet weather, sewer lines can back up, creating sewage overflows in homes and along points in the sewage collection system. The Western Virginia Water Authority highly recommends that homeowners purchase a "backup of sewer and drains" rider as part of their homeowner's insurance policy.

Sewage backups occur when stormwater enters sewer pipes through
• sump pumps, stairwell drains or downspouts that are connected to sewer pipes.
• unplugged sewer clean-outs or cracks in pipes or sewer pipe connections.
• manhole covers.

Sewer pipes can not effectively convey all this excess water, therefore, it can back up. Homes with a history of sewer backups are more at risk to future backups during severe storms. To immediately reduce the risk of sewer backups and property damage in basements due to sewer backups, property owners can
• be sure to plug basement sewer floor drains if no other plumbing fixtures are on the basement level. Plugs are available at most hardware stores.
• be sure to plug sewer clean-outs in yards.
• move items of value away from sewer floor drains.

The Western Virginia Water Authority’s Utility Line Services Division will staff a phone bank September 17, 18 and 19 to address any sewer overflow or backup incidents that may occur. Authority customers who experience sewer backups, or who see sewage overflows at sewer manholes or above-ground sewer pipes should call 853-5700 to report them.

Water in basements can also be caused not by sewer backups but by stormwater entering the home. To reduce the risk of this happening, make sure that downspouts direct water away from building foundations (but are not connected to sewer pipes) and that gutters are not clogged.

Long-term solutions to reducing the risk of sewer backups in wet weather include:
• disconnecting downspouts from sewer pipes
• disconnecting sump pumps from sewer pipes, and redirecting the water outside, away from the foundation of homes
• plugging sewer pipe floor drains and sewer clean-outs in yards

The Western Virginia Water Authority highly recommends purchasing a "backup of sewer and drain" rider as part of a homeowner’s insurance policy.