Preventing sewage backflow

Climate change is causing increasingly heavy rainfall. These heavy rains also increase the risk of flooding. This may require measures to better protect your home against flooding. One of these measures is to prevent sewage water from entering your home.

What does retaining sewage water involve?

Heavy rainfall can cause the sewer system to become overwhelmed, resulting in basement flooding.

To prevent this, you can take the following measures:

1. Install a check valve in the sewer system.
2. Install a ball valve in the drain pipe of the washing machine.
3. Install a slide valve in the sewer system that you can close during heavy rainfall.
4. Install a lower outlet point in the sewer system.
5. Cover the scrub pit.

Costs

A plumber costs €40 to €60 per hour. A check valve costs €40 to €200. A ball valve costs €10 to €50. A sewer gate valve costs €400 to €700. The cost of installing a lower outlet point depends on the situation. A cover for the scrub pit costs €250 to €450.

Use of space

These measures are useful if water enters your home or basement through the sewer system or toilet.

What do you need?

You need a plumber or experience with this type of work.

Tips

Your specific situation determines which measure is the best solution. Measures 2, 3, and 5 require manual action prior to the nuisance occurring. Measures 1 and 4 work automatically.