Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    barbee1946's Avatar
    barbee1946 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Apr 15, 2007, 12:31 PM
    Basement shower drain backs up when it rains heavy
    Whenever it rains heavy the basement shower drain backs up with clean water and also the toilet rises and bubbles. Where is the water coming as I'm not flushing or running any water in the house. Please help! Thank you.
    Ken 297's Avatar
    Ken 297 Posts: 112, Reputation: 24
    Junior Member
     
    #2

    Apr 15, 2007, 03:07 PM
    Barbee
    This means you have rainwater draining into the sanitary sewer.
    If the sewer is partially blocked, when it rains the water coming from the weeping tiles or roof leaders overloads the system and backs up at the lowest point. Usually a basement floor drain but if the floor drain is covered it will come up in the shower.
    Its rainwater so that explains why it is clear.
    The answer is to snake out the main drain leaving the basement. You can rent a snake but I would check with the municipality if your on municipal sewers.
    Some municipalities will come out and snake it for you. If not call a plumber.
    Happens all the time and is usually not a serious problem.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #3

    Apr 15, 2007, 05:27 PM
    Barbee, just a thought before you spend money on repair. Check with several of your neighbors to see if their basement level drains back up too. You did not mention it but are you on city sewer or septic tank. In my town so many people have illegally hooked their gutters and sump pumps to the city sewer that we all get some backup during heavy rains. The city inspected every home on our block this week looking for illegal hook ups.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Basement floor drain backs up [ 5 Answers ]

We recently had a problem with our basement floor drain backing up when we took a shower or used the washer. We paid $350.00 for someone to come roto-rooter the main sewer line out to the street. He used the trap next to the basement stairs inside to clean out. He pulled out a ton of roots and ran...

Basement floor drain backs up [ 13 Answers ]

Hello! We recently purchased our first home built in 1956. We have had a couple of plumbing issues arise so far. First, the kitchen sink wouldn't drain. We took all the pipes off the wall (there was nothing in the trap) and ran the roto rooter thing (no plumbing experience obviously! ) down. It...

Basement drain backs up during heavy rain. [ 1 Answers ]

The home was built in 1948 (Wayne MI), and is tied into the cities sewer system. Just last week we had a heavy rain. I come home from work, go down stairs only to see our carpet soaking wet. I remove the carpet and see that the water level in the drain is flush with the floor. :confused: The...

Installing Basement Shower Drain with Washing Machine Drain [ 5 Answers ]

Hi folks: I would like to install a shower that drains into the same drain as my washing machine. Right now the washing machine drain, 1-1/2" ABS, comes in horizontally about 12" above the concrete floor into a 1-1/2" Tee on a vertical pipe. From this Tee, the vent goes straight up to the...

Basement Drain Smell When It Rains [ 3 Answers ]

We bought a house 2 years ago and have been very good about making sure the drains in the basement do not go dry. We add water every couple of weeks and have even added vegetable oil to prevent evaporation. We've also tried flushing bleach through it. Despite this, we get the bad P-trap smell....


View more questions Search