Sewer Problems in Ralston: Spring Flooding Effects

When spring hits Ralston, so does the rain — and with it comes one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face: sewer backups caused by flooding.

Even if your home isn’t in a flood zone, heavy rainfall and saturated ground can put enormous stress on your sewer system. And when stormwater overwhelms older pipes, it doesn’t just stay outside — it can come back up inside your home.

Let’s look at why this happens, what signs to watch for, and what you can do to protect your home before the next storm rolls in.

When heavy spring rains hit Ralston, stormwater seeps into the ground and overfills the city’s sewer and drainage systems. Older sewer lines — especially clay or cast iron ones — can crack or shift over time, allowing groundwater and debris to enter.

That extra water pressure creates a chain reaction that leads to:

🚽 Basement drain backups (wastewater pushing up through floor drains)
🚰 Slow or gurgling drains throughout the home
💧 Sewage odors inside basements or lower-level bathrooms
💦 Soil erosion around outdoor cleanouts or foundations

If your sewer line is already partially clogged or damaged, spring flooding can easily push it past the breaking point.

Ralston’s charm comes from its older neighborhoods and mature trees, but those same features create perfect conditions for sewer issues:

• Tree roots invade older clay or concrete pipes, causing blockages.
• Settling soil and ground movement misalign pipe joints.
• Aging infrastructure can’t always handle sudden downpours.
• Low-lying properties experience more backflow during storms.

Once stormwater enters the sewer system, it can’t tell the difference between a drain and a basement floor — it just takes the path of least resistance.

You can’t control the rain, but you can take steps to keep it out of your home. Here’s what we recommend for Ralston homeowners:

1. Install a backwater valve
This device automatically stops sewage from backing up into your home when the main line is overloaded. It’s one of the best defenses during heavy rains.

2. Get a camera inspection before spring
A quick video inspection identifies cracks, root intrusion, and weak spots that could cause backups when the soil gets saturated.

3. Clean your drains and main sewer line annually
Routine cleaning keeps roots, grease, and debris from turning into full blockages under pressure.

4. Check your sump pump
Make sure your sump pump is operational and discharge lines are clear before the rainy season starts.

5. Seal basement cracks and floor drains
Even small openings can allow groundwater or sewer gas to enter during floods.

Once flooding begins, it’s too late to prevent a backup — your best protection is preparation. Schedule a spring sewer inspection early in the season when conditions are dry.

If our team at McIntosh Plumbing spots potential trouble, we can clear, repair, or reinforce your system before it becomes an emergency.

At McIntosh Plumbing, we’ve helped Ralston homeowners protect their homes from spring flooding year after year. Whether you need a sewer line inspection, drain cleaning, or backwater valve installation, we’ll help keep your plumbing safe and storm-ready.

Schedule your sewer inspection today — and stay one step ahead of spring flooding.

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