How would I find out where my areaway drain terminates? This drain has backed up during heavy rain (even with a cover over the stairwell) and allowed our laundry room to flood. 2 plumbers have all said they don't know if it terminates into the ground or ties into the perimeter drainage system or if it connects to the city line (we have very few storm sewers in our subdivision). They brought a camera but it only went about 3 feet down and they couldn't get it to go any further. I have had suggestions for capping, filling in and installing a sump pump into the exterior stairwell but before deciding what route to take I was wondering how I would know where it terminates in order to make the best decision. We have a 1961 Split level home and the city has no record of where it goes... I tried to put a small hand held snake in but it stopped at the same point the plumbers camera stopped, I assume due to a trap. What are the risks of capping it so we can use the stairwell and don't have to depend on a sump pump to keep water out of the area? When it backed up it was clear water with no smell and only occurred during torrential rains where we got an inch in 15 minutes, during normal rain and even with a hose left in it on high it drains fine.
We just had our mainline rooted and a section replaced but this happened both prior to the repair as well as after and the plumber who did the work said they didn't think it was tied in to the mainline.