John Riley
New Member
This is a very interesting thread. I have a duplex up in a three story graystone in Chicago and my neighbors and the co-owner of the building (garden apt.) suffered basement flooding this summer. In response, several of my neighbors have installed backflow preventers. My downstairs neighbor would like us to do the same. Several companies have quoted prices of about $7,000 but one suggested that since the roof drain is connected to our system, to properly install the system they wanted to re-route the roof drainage pipe to drain separately into the sewer at the front of the house - before the back-floor preventer. This would add another $7,000 to the project since they wanted to bury the pipe for the distance of the house. This does make some sense, since flooding only occurs during big rains and the rain water would then back up into the basement if the preventer was engaged. I read elsewhere that basement flooding could be greatly mitigated by disconnecting the drain pipe. Why couldn't we drain the water to the alleyway?? Isd that an option?? I can't imagine spending $14,000!!! Thanks