Rainwater backwash into cellar - Intermittent flooding of cellar

[aki]

Hi

I'm new to using this kind of forum but here goes...

Our cellar sometimes floods after a very heavy rainfall. The water can get up to about 10 inches deep. The water comes under a door in the cellar. Outside the door is a drain which is open to the air (a space of about 2 by 3 feet open to the drive). I think the flooding is coming from two places from the rainfall above and from backwash from the drain. The flood water is dirty but not sewage. It feels like it is connected to the street drains. The house was built in 1906. My neighbours have had the same problem but have just blocked this drain off and sealed it from rainfall on the drive. I am reluctant to do this as I would like to maintain the ventilation and would like to keep some light coming into the cellar. In the future I would also like to move the washing machine down into the cellar and maybe use this drain for the outlet. Is it possible to get hold of one-way drains that would allow water to drain from the outside but also prevent the backwash problem?

aki

[flowjoe]

Firstly you need to determine why the system surcharges, this could be due to a partial blockage on your private drainage system or the main sewer may not be able to cope with the volume of prolonged rainfall.

If its a partial blockage get it cleared, if its the local authority sewer that can not cope you may get some help with regard to finding a solution.

The bad news is that if the drainage system runs to a sewer then that will not just be storm water flooding your cellar, if you know what i mean.

There are anti-flood valves on the market but without a site visit i can`t say if this will work on your property, call in a specialist contractor or speak to your insurers who may well appoint one on your behalf.