Rain, Gutters, Downspouts, and Basements
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Why act? | Sanitary sewers are designed to
transport wastes during peak use periods. These systems are not designed
to transport the large volume of clear water that results from
rainstorms or snow-melt. Improperly installed roof drain systems can
cause this clear water to drain into the sewer via your basement. When
your local sanitary sewer system is overloaded by too much clear water,
it can back-up in basements and overflow manholes. Both of these
situations create public health and environmental hazards.
It is important to direct water from your roof drain system away from the house. This Earth Action will help you avoid taxing the local sewer system, will lessen wood rot and help keep your basement dry. |
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Earth Action | Check the gutters and roof drains and
remove any leaves or other debris that may block water flow. If there
are a lot of trees around your home and leaf accumulation is a recurring
problem, consider installing commercial gutter shields. If your roof drain downspouts discharge too close to the house, install extensions that carry the water at least six feet away from the foundation. Use additional pieces of downspout or open gutters for the extensions. Place a splash block at the end of the extension. This will spread out the water as it runs onto your lawn and reduce the potential for soil erosion. (Check out “roll-up” extensions.) |
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Sump Thing Special | If the sump pump in your basement discharges into the sanitary sewer system, be aware that this is not a legal hookup. Contact an expert to change your connections so that the sump pump discharges groundwater into a surface or subsurface drainage system. |
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Materials | Ladder and gloves to inspect and clean
gutters; hand tools, eye protection, gutter covers and associated
hardware, hand tools, ladder, downspout pipe and associated hardware,
splash blocks, metal shears. Ladder safety |
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Time | One hour to inspect the rain gutters, and one to four more hours to clean the gutters if necessary. A few more hours to install covers and/or extensions. |
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Resource Savings | The environmental and public health benefits from avoiding sewer system back-ups are priceless. You will also help your local waste water treatment plant save the costs associated with handling excess water in the local sewer system. |
| Links |
How to manage stormwater around the house (pdf) Wet basement problems More ideas about rainwater use Proper sump pump connections Rain garden information More rain garden information |
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Radio Ads and Interview |
Rain Rain radio ad Gutters and Downspouts radio ad Sump Pumps radio ad Costly radio ad 15 minute interview with Adam Elliott from WOLX and Roy Swanke |
| For more information | Contact Roy Swanke by phone at 608-222-1201 ext. 275 or by email at roys@madsewer.org. |