How do I stop sewage backup in basement floor drain?

[buddhababy]

There is a drain of some kind in the basement, when there are really heavy rains, it backs up with sewage. It happened this summer, prior to that I don't think it had happened in at least 10 years.

I was thinking there might be some sort of ball/float thing that could be put in that would stop stuff from coming up when the city storm drains are overwhelmed.

Is there such a thing? If so, what is it called and do I need professional installation or can I just pick it off the shelf at my local hardware or plumbing store?

If not, is there something else I can do?

[confused student]

What you have is a sump. You need a sump pump to put into it.

[BuildingHomes]

Yes there are devices that will essentially 'close' when liquid is backed up.

Please consult a professional plumber to take care of this for you. It will possibly involve breaking concrete on your basement floor in order to fit it in.

You will probably find them advertising in your local paper or flyers.

[jonnyb]

What you want is a backwater valve. It is essentially a check valve that shuts when fluid flows the improper way through it. However, most will not work if water simply "rises" within the piping system. I've installed various electronic and mechanical ones. I was in Home Depot the other day and noticed they have started to carry them. It is a job better left to a professional though as breaking of the basement floor and proper installation is required.

[sunnybono]

There is a drain of some kind in the basement, when there are really heavy rains, it backs up with sewage. It happened this summer, prior to that I don't think it had happened in at least 10 years.

I was thinking there might be some sort of ball/float thing that could be put in that would stop stuff from coming up when the city storm drains are overwhelmed.

Is there such a thing? If so, what is it called and do I need professional installation or can I just pick it off the shelf at my local hardware or plumbing store?

If not, is there something else I can do?

You must live in the older part of TO where the pipes are too small to handle all that water. There is a plumber on this site, ask him the questions to your problem!!!!!!

Good Luck!!

sk

[buddhababy]

Thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated. I now have a better idea of what I'm looking for - starting with a professional!

[Pete_Coach]

You do not have a sump. You have a problem though. If you say this back up has not happened in ten years and it is happening now, there is a problem somewhere.
The drain in your floor should be connected to the drain tile around your house and then out to the storm drains in the street.
Waste water or sewage (from toilets and sinks) should be going down a different drain and not connected to your floor drains. Something is causing your storm water drain to back up and you will need to get a camera down there to find out what it is.
We had an issue on our street and the water backed up as well. The City had to fix the main drain pipes. Some folks had the back flow preventers installed but the worked so well, the drain pipe burst and cracked the basment floor.

[l69norm]

...Some folks had the back flow preventers installed but the worked so well, the drain pipe burst and cracked the basment floor....

I also thought that you weren't suppose to install these for the above reason.