For homeowners in Berwyn, IL, basement flooding, sewer backup, and water damage due to moisture infiltration into the home’s structures are very real problems they constantly have to deal with. WSR real estate support recognizes that these problems are the result of diverse natural and human factors.
The first major cause is the city’s outdated sewer infrastructure. Berwyn relies on a combined sewer system that was installed over a century ago. Combined sewer systems are designed to carry both sanitary sewage and stormwater in the same lines.
These systems are notoriously prone to failure, and when they are overloaded by increasingly heavy rainfall or snowmelt (due to climate change), they divert their content into connected private sewer lines, causing these homes to be flooded or suffer sewer backups.
These problems are compounded by the fact that the sewer lines are forced to serve a larger population than they were originally meant to. Local sewers that are already close to their maximum flow capacity only need a little rainfall before they overflow.
Another issue is the excess of non-porous surfaces across the city. With very few natural surfaces to soak up rainwater, the inevitable outcome is that massive volumes of stormwater enter the sewer system and eventually flood city streets and homes.
How do these problems impact Berwyn homes, homeowners, and families?
Basement flooding
The first major impact is basement flooding. Surface runoff regularly finds its way into people’s basements. Stagnant water in the yard can also enter the home by seeping through the foundation and flooring.
Sewer backups
An even more dangerous problem is when sewage backs up into the home from the sewer line. Overflowing municipal sewers can push back the contents of residential sewer lines, forcing raw sewage to spill into the house.
Exposure to deadly diseases
Households are at a higher risk of waterborne diseases and respiratory problems when raw sewage is discharged into their homes. This risk can remain long after the original cause of the problem is solved.
Mold and water damage
Constant exposure to water may compromise the structural integrity of the home. Walls and flooring may be damaged beyond repair. Flooding also increases the risk of mold in the home.
If you have been dealing with any of these problems in your Berwyn, IL home, you definitely need a flood control system for your property. What are your best options in this regard?
Protecting your Berwyn home from flooding and sewer backups
Given that the city’s outdated sewer lines will not be replaced overnight, and they can’t do anything about changing weather patterns caused by climate change, the only option for Berwyn homeowners is to find ways to protect their property.
Especially for high-risk properties in the city (which make up more than 30% of the total number), here are the top flood control measures to consider:
Backflow preventers
A backflow preventer is a simple device you can install on your sewer line to prevent sewer backups. Backflow preventers ensure that wastewater can only flow in one direction inside your sewer line. The device’s enclosed valves will remain open as long as water flows in the proper direction, but will close automatically at the first hint of a reversal of flow.
French drains
A French drain is a shallow covered trench installed in a waterlogged section of your yard or in the basement to improve drainage. The trench houses a perforated pipe laid over a bed of gravel with a sheet of landscaping fabric over it. Due to differences in pressure between the pipe and its surrounding areas, water is pulled from the oversaturated soil into the pipe, to be channeled away from your house.
Battery-powered backup sump pumps
Sump pumps are a part of the flood protection systems in most Berwyn homes. However, standard sump pumps don’t work during power outages, and blackouts are a common occurrence during rainstorms. A battery-powered sump pump system solves this problem by serving as backup in the event that your primary sump pump is knocked out.
Landscaping for drainage
This involves regrading the ground around your home to ensure a proper slope and filling any low spots on your property where water pools. Another great option is installing a rain garden. A rain garden is a landscaped depression used to collect and store surface runoff on a property, giving the water time to slowly soak into the ground.
Overhead sewer systems
This is a more comprehensive solution for homes where flooding issues are extreme. An overhead sewer line is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of being buried in the ground, the sewer line is installed above ground, with its lowest point well-above the level of any potential sewer backup in the home. This solution permanently solves the problem of sewer backups in your home.
Which of these systems is best for your home? That depends on the details of the flooding problem in the house. To help you answer the question, contact an experienced Berwyn professional plumber and have them do a thorough audit of your home’s drainage systems to identify the root cause of the issues and recommend lasting solutions.
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Are you in need of some flood control system assistance in the Berwyn, IL area? Our professionals can help! Reach out to us today at 708-801-6530.
