Hi! I am new and have just found "ask me, help me" so I am first time at this!
I have a stormwater backflow problem... a four inch pvc floor drain... in sump... clears water from cement floor area... however... now the storm water from outside is backing up onto the floor... any way to put a check valve on this?

The sump pump is running when this backup occurs, I assume. Depending on the way the sump pump is set up, won't the water backup just spill onto the floor through the top of the sump pump opening? even if the floor drain trap door is closed? Are you sure the sump pump is pumping water? I had one that ran fine every time I tested it the motor ran, but when it flooded the basement, I found that the bottom of the pump was rusted away and didn't actually pump.
If the pump is OK, you have more water than the pump can handle. You may need a larger pump, more than one pump and/or some drains outside to take water away before it gets to the pump. Are rain leaders piped away from the foundation?
Sorry for all the questions, but there are many possible sources for your problem.

Thank you, smearcase! I needed to tell you that there is no sump pump... this is not a basement but a large indoor sport center that never had water back up before... I will be getting a sump pump... and the discharge will have to be very large... the cost is prohibitive so I was hoping to use a check valve to simply prevent the water from backing up into the building... maybe this is not 'smart' but I need to take some prevent measures quickly until the funds are there for the large investment for the pump... etc... anyway... this is nice that you have asked these questions... I know what you mean about things that are not functioning when needed... but only when not needed... kind of like a car I had... started every time!! Until...
Thanks again...

Hi, triumf67!

Greetings and WELCOME to the site! I just moved your question that you had posted in Introductions to this topic area so that it would get the most exposure to those who are best able to answer it. Additionally, your question is more likely to get noticed and answered to your satisfaction in this topic area. Introductions is for people to introduce themselves and we try to not ask questions there.

You have already receive one really good answer here.

We would appreciate it if you would return to Introductions sometime to tell us a little about yourself though, if you would be willing to do that.

Thanks!

Hi All:

Hey, seems to me that you may be able to install a flood guard... click on this link to investigate:

Flood guards for floor drains - check valve to prevent flooding from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY

Pretty easy install, too... ;) See pictures below for idea of how they work.

Can you tell us if this is a new issue.. Why is the storm water coming in? Did it always do this..

If important enough, and when have enough money, may be a good idea to get a drain company with a CAMERA snake to video the drain line to see why it is backing up. May be there is a broken drain line there and this can be fixed by locating (video) and then repairing drain.

Anyway, let us know what you think...

MARK

Mark gave you a excellent solution for preventing your floor drain from backing up, however. This won't prevent the backup from overflowing the next lowest fixture. Follow his advice on either snaking the sewer or running a camera down there to locate the source of the problem. Good luck, Tom

Contributing to what [massplumber2008] said, it might be a good idea to use a backwater approved by your local department of sewerage and drainage. Check your local public utilities website to see if there is a project to help homeowner with basement flood as a result of city sewer overflow. If the City determines the problem is coming from their sewer line, they may pay the cost of the backwater valve (ymmv with locality).

Here's another backwater valve specs:
Mainline Fullport Backwater Valve
Mainline Backflow Products