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View Full Version : Should I install a Flood Guard in my basement shower for water backflow problem?


Bluss
Nov 3, 2014, 11:40 AM
There was water backflow (rain water) in my basement shower which flooded the entire apartment. If I install a Flood guard in the shower, is there a risk that my toilet or sinks backflow?

massplumber2008
Nov 3, 2014, 12:56 PM
A floodguard is a good first attempt to keep the rain water back, but a better, more reliable fix would be to get the landlord to install a BACKWATER VALVE to protect all fixtures from flooding in the future.

Goodness forbid a major storm hit and flood your place as shown below...


Mark

Bluss
Nov 4, 2014, 06:07 AM
Thank you Massplumber2008,
What about the second part of my question? If I install a Flood Guard in the shower, is there a risk that my toilet or sinks backflow? I live in the basement of my landlord by the way and he does not want to do any work...

massplumber2008
Nov 4, 2014, 06:21 AM
If you install a flood guard in the shower and the drains back up again the shower should be protected and if the volume is not extreme you may be OK. If, however, the volume of water from the city/town drain system is extreme then water will just flow out from the bottom of the toilet or even from the toilet bowl itself and flood the place again!

Otherwise, the toilet and sink are not affected by installing a flood guard.

Bluss
Nov 4, 2014, 06:38 AM
Thank you for your quick answer. Would you say that an inch and a half of water in two hours in a very small apartment (about 10 X 12) is an extreme volume?

speedball1
Nov 4, 2014, 07:22 AM
You don't have a floor drain in your basement? The downside of installing ANY sort of a check valve is that you don't know you have a backup until something overflows. Good luck, Tom