Prevent Basement Flooding
Flood Guard^TM

When spring rains bring flooding and sewer overloads, or when an obstruction blocks a sanitary sewer to prevent it from flowing freely, the sewer line can back up into the house, ruining thousands of dollars worth of carpeting and household possessions.

A simple device that costs less than ten dollars can keep that from happening.

General Wire Spring's Flood Guard^TM mounts quickly and easily into the basement drain. When it's in place, It acts as a check valve, allowing water to flow out but preventing it from backing up into your home. It can be installed in minutes, but it can prevent many hours of unpleasant clean-up. No house should be without one

The Flood Guard^TM is available in float or standpipe models. Gaskets are made of molded rubber, and all metal parts are plated or stainless steel.

 
Float Model:

The Flood-Guard^TM using a float, operates like a check valve to seal off water back-up caused by overloaded sewers.

Water flows normally through the drain until the sewer begins to back up. Then the Flood-Guard float rises to seal off the drain opening until the water recedes.

The Flood Guard^TM float model can be installed by the property owner, or by a licensed plumber.

Stand Pipe Model:
Standpipes are lengths of pipe, which are open at the top and usually screwed into the basement floor drain. They permit the flow in sewer line to back up as high as necessary, without filling the basement with flood water.

Please note, that protruding pipes create obstacles and can be a safety hazard. More importantly, basement floor drains cannot be used until the standpipes are removed.

Standpipes cost between $100-$200, and are fairly easy to install.

However ... in extreme cases, rising water in an excessively tall standpipe may create enough pressure in the home's sewer line to rupture pipe joints under the basement floor.

For proper standpipe installation, contact a licensed plumber.

The Standpipe Flood Guard^TM is recommended for extreme, extended pressure (for instance, where home-made seals have popped out of the line).

The 4" Standpipe Flood-Guard is threaded to receive 1-1/2" IPS pipe. On the 3" model, the pipe is slipped through the rubber gasket before the screws are fully tightened.

See Also:

Flood Guard^TM Models & Specifications
Physical Hazards in the Home - Flooding
Sewage Ejectors
Sump Pumps

 BACK

Was this article helpful?   Yes    No