If your basement floor drain only backs up when it rains, the problem is usually tied to outside water — either too much water hitting the sewer or saturated soil around the house. This hub groups practical articles so you can match your pattern (heavy storms, spring thaw, chronic saturation, or recent changes to roof and landscaping) to the most likely causes and next steps. Pick the short article that matches when the backups happen to get focused troubleshooting and homeowner-level fixes.
Floor Drains, Basement & Main Lines
Storms and heavy rainfall events
This section covers backups that happen during or right after intense rain events, from local summer storms to citywide storm surges. These articles explain how overwhelmed sewers and short-term surges can push water back through basement drains.
- Backup only during storms
Describes how intermittent storm surges in the municipal system or clogged external drains can cause backups only when stormwater volumes spike.
- Drain backs up during heavy rain
Focuses on causes like overwhelmed sewer lines and surface runoff entering yard drains during intense downpours and what to inspect first.
- Backup after prolonged rain
Explains how multi-day rain events increase groundwater and sewer load, producing delayed backups once systems are saturated.
- Backup after summer storms
Looks at short, heavy summer storms and how roof, driveway, and gutter runoff can overwhelm local drainage and cause basements to back up.
- Backup after hurricane remnants
Covers widespread flooding and overwhelmed regional systems following tropical storms, plus temporary protections homeowners can use.
- Backup after city storm event
Focuses on municipal system failures or combined sewer overflows during large city storms and how to document the issue for utilities.
Snowmelt and spring thaw problems
When snow or ice melts quickly in spring, water can enter the ground and drainage systems rapidly. These articles explain why thaw events often trigger backups and what to check around the house.
- Backup after snowmelt
Explains how rapid melt raises groundwater and can push water into basement drains even without rain, and where to look for weak spots.
- Drain floods after thaw
Details how freeze-thaw cycles and blocked exterior drains during thaw can create temporary backups and simple clearance steps to try.
- Backup after heavy snowfall melts
Discusses the cumulative effect of melting deep snowpacks that release large volumes of water over a short period and mitigation options.
- Drain floods only in spring
Targets seasonal issues such as high spring groundwater and clogged springtime gutters that make backups repeat each year.
Saturated ground and recurring rain-season issues
Some basements only back up once the soil is saturated or the rainy season consistently overwhelms local drainage. These pieces help isolate chronic problems and long-term fixes.
- Backup when ground saturated
Explains how high water table and poor yard drainage allow groundwater to push into floor drains, and basic testing to confirm saturation as the cause.
- Backup worsens every rainy season
Looks at progressive deterioration of slope, gutters, or sewer capacity that makes backups more frequent each year and practical maintenance steps.
- Basement drain backs up after rain
A straightforward checklist for homeowners to link rain timing to likely culprits like exterior drains, downspouts, or local sewer issues.
- Drain backs up only after rainfall
Helps distinguish between internal plumbing clogs and external storm-related causes with simple tests and observations to perform during the next rain.
- Rain causes basement flooding
General guidance on common pathways for rainwater into basements and immediate steps to limit damage until a permanent fix is in place.
Roof, landscape, and site changes that trigger backups
Changes to roof drainage, grading, or landscaping can redirect more water toward your foundation. These short articles help you spot recent changes that coincide with the problem.
- Rain causes floor drain overflow
Focuses on how localized runoff from gutters, patios, or clogged exterior drains leads to floor drain overflow during rain events.
- Backup after roof drainage issues
Explains how failing gutters, downspouts, or improper roof runoff connections can concentrate water at the foundation and trigger backups.
- Backup after landscape changes
Looks at recent grading, new hardscaping, or added planters that can change where rainwater flows and create new runoff problems.
All Articles in This Cluster
- Basement drain backs up after rain
- Backup only during storms
- Rain causes basement flooding
- Backup after snowmelt
- Drain backs up during heavy rain
- Rain causes floor drain overflow
- Backup after city storm event
- Drain backs up only after rainfall
- Backup when ground saturated
- Drain floods after thaw
- Backup after prolonged rain
- Drain floods only in spring
- Backup after summer storms
- Backup after hurricane remnants
- Backup after heavy snowfall melts
- Backup worsens every rainy season
- Backup after roof drainage issues
- Backup after landscape changes