DC
Water@dcwater
#BloomingdaleDC
#LeDroitPark New guide to preventing flooding (PDF). Also distributed by our
engineering consultants.
Here
is the title of this document:
PREVENTING HOME FLOODING DURING STORMS
And here are the text portions of this document (note that several images are throughout the PDF):
Flooding
can damage District homes and businesses. It results when the volume of water
runoff from a storm is greater than what the storm system around your property
can handle. When this occurs, overland flow of stormwater enters your building
through an opening such as a door, a window, or a crack in the building
foundation.
DC
Water recommends three basic approaches to home flood control:
•
Keep the water out
•
Keep the water away• Keep your system working
Keep
the Water Out
If
stormwater is flooding your building through a window, under a door, or through
a stairwell entrance way, consider building a small barrier around these entry
points.
Examples of these barriers are:
Window Wells
Designed
to create an opening around your basement window, window wells are below ground
level, U-shaped, and may be brick or manufactured from rust resistant metal. To
keep rain, snow, yard waste, animals and people from falling into the well,
seal them with watertight window well covers.
Raised Steps
As
shown in the photo, building raised steps in front of your lowest level
entrance will keep the water out.
Sand Bags
By
diverting moving water away from buildings, properly filled and placed sandbags
can be an effective method of preventing flood damage. Untied burlap bags
filled halfway with sandy soil and positioned tightly against one another can
be placed in appropriate locations such as basement stairways and window wells.
Never use bags to build a fortress around your property. This can trap water
between the sandbags and the building, causing even further damage.
Ready-Made
Products
There are numerous products on the market made to keep the water out. They include various door barriers, wall barriers, and various alternatives to sandbags. Check your local hardware stores or the many online options.
Keep
the Water Away
You
want to keep water away from your foundation so it doesn’t seep in through
cracks, joints, cinder blocks, or around pipes going through the outside walls.
Ways to do this include the following:
Sump
Pump System
A
sump pump consist of five components: an electric pump, buried outdoor collection
piping, discharge piping, a water level sensor, and an electric supply. The
pump sits in a pit that is installed under the basement floor slab. The outdoor
drain piping collects stormwater under and around the house foundation and
directs flow to the sump pit. As
the water in the pit rises, the water level sensor activates the pump. The pump
sends water through the discharge piping to outside the house. The end of the
discharge piping must be directed away from your foundation.
The
sump pump and its components need to be installed by a DC licensed contractor.
Routinely check the sump pump to ensure it is plugged in and the breaker is on.
During a power outage, the sump pump will not work unless it has a backup power
source.
Gutters,
Downspouts, Downspout Extension, and Splash Pads
Gutters, downspouts, downspout extensions, and splash pads are important parts of any home or business drainage system and are essential for sending roof runoff away from the building. Gutters catch the water that runs off the roof and channel it into downspouts, which direct the flow of water to the ground. Downspouts need to direct the flow away from your foundation. Splash pads and down spout extensions help to keep water away. Splash pads are typically about two feet long and made of concrete or plastic. A downspout extension comes in different materials and lengths to fit the need of your yard.
In older areas of the District, the sewer system is combined. This means that one sewer pipe carries both sanitary wastewater and stormwater flow. In this part of the District, downspouts are often directed into the ground and connect to the house sewer lateral. If the end of your downspout is buried, the use of a splash pad or downspout extension would not apply.
Yard Grading
The ground closest to the house should slope down and away from your building to keep water from seeping into the basement or flooding the foundation. However, keep soil at least eight inches away from wood siding to protect against rot and insects.
Sealing
Cracks
This helps to make your building more waterproof and structurally sound. Make sure that the wall or floor surface is properly prepared and that you use a product specifically developed for the type of surface you are sealing – concrete, brick, wood, tile or others.
Keep
Your System Working
DC
Water recommends that you regularly complete necessary maintenance on your home
or business drainage system. This includes keeping outside drains, gutters, and
downspouts free of leaves, litter, and trash.
If
sewage is backing up in your home, call DC Water immediately on its 24-hour
Water and Sewer Emergency Line at (202) 612-3400. An inspector will be dispatched
to investigate the public sewer and determine the cause of the backup. If the
public sewer is clear, you will be advised to call a DC licensed plumber and
have your private sewer service line cleared.
Sewage Backups: Another Possible Flooding Source
Floor Drain Backwater Valve/Plug
If
your only source of sewage backup is a floor drain or outdoor stairwell drain,
then you may be able to install a simple floor drain valve to stop this
problem. This is an inexpensive way to protect your home from flooding. As the
water backs up, the water pushes the plug up and keeps the water from flowing.
Once the water recedes, the plug drops back down and the floor drain can be
used again.
Backflow
Prevention Devices
If
you live in an area with a combined sewer system and are prone to sewer backups
you should consider installing a Backflow Preventer (BFP), also called a
Backwater Preventer. This device can effectively shut off the home or business
from the combined sewer system during storms. Automatic and manual BFPs are
available. When the BFP is actively working, you must not use the toilet, sink,
shower, washer, dishwasher or any appliance that discharges wastewater. BFPs
need to be installed by a DC licensed plumber. If you have a BFP installed, be
sure to inspect and clean it regularly.
Flood
Insurance –
An
Extra Measure of Protection
Although
flood insurance is relatively inexpensive, most people do not purchase
protection. Homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. DC Water
recommends property owners consider the purchase of a policy or rider to your
existing policy that covers the damage and cleanup cost that can result from
flooding. Learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program at
floodsmart.gov.
IMPORTANT
NUMBERS TO KNOW
DC
Water and Sewer Emergency Line (202) 612-3400DC Water Office of Risk Management (202) 787-2052
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (202) 727-6161
Mayor’s Citywide Call Center (202) 727-1000
Federal Emergency Management Agency (800) 621-3362
National Flood Insurance Program (888) 379-9531
DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
5000
Overlook Avenue, SW | Washington, DC 20032George S. Hawkins, General Manager
DCWATER.COM
1 comment:
Sewage backup
DC Water recommends three basic approaches to home flood control is hintful on what to do during emergency.
Post a Comment