Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
In Business Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in Columbus, OH
If your basement floor drain backs up every time a big storm rolls through, an overhead sewer system lifts basement wastewater above the level where backups happen. We design and install them for Columbus homes from our office on West Goodale Boulevard.
Does Your Columbus Basement Need an Overhead Sewer?
From mild to severe, here's what tells you the connection itself is the problem:
Water at the Floor Drain in Big Storms
A little water rises during a downpour and drains away by morning. It's usually the first sign your connection can't keep up.
A Clean Line That Still Backs Up
The camera shows no roots, grease or cracks, yet the basement still takes on water in heavy rain. That points to the system, not a clog.
A Backup That Already Cost You
Sewage in a finished basement once is enough. Another temporary fix isn't worth round two.
How an Overhead Sewer System Works
In most basements, the floor drain, basement toilet and laundry drain by gravity into a sewer line that leaves the house below the floor. When the sewer outside fills up in a storm, water can flow right back up that path. An overhead system cuts that path off. Those low drains empty into a sealed pit, an ejector pump lifts the wastewater up to a new line near the basement ceiling, and a check valve keeps it from falling back. From there it flows to the sewer by gravity, just like your upstairs drains.
Overhead Sewers and Columbus Basements
Overhead sewers make the most sense in the parts of Columbus where storms hit the sewers hardest.
Combined Sewer Neighborhoods
Downtown, Victorian Village and German Village have combined sewers, where stormwater and sewage share one pipe. In heavy rain, that pipe can fill to the level of a basement drain.
Older Laterals That Let Rain In
Across older parts of the city, rainwater gets into cracked laterals and joints. We camera your lateral first, because sometimes a repair is the fix, not a conversion.
Basement Bathrooms and Laundry
Every fixture in the basement is a way in for a backup. An overhead system routes all of them to a sealed pit, and an ejector pump lifts the wastewater up and out.
Overhead Sewer, Backflow Valve or Sump Pump?
Each one stops a different kind of water. Here's how they compare in a Columbus basement:
| Sump Pump | Backflow Valve | Overhead Sewer System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The water it handles | Groundwater pushing in through the walls or floor | Sewage trying to flow back into the house | Sewage backing up because the connection sits too low |
| How it works | Collects water in a pit and pumps it outside | A flap closes when flow reverses | Basement drains go to a pit and an ejector pump lifts the waste above flood level |
| Best fit | Wet walls and floors after rain | Homes that sit high enough for a passive valve | Repeat storm backups and finished basements |
Many Columbus basements need more than one. We'll tell you which ones yours needs after looking at the space and the lateral.
The J. Blanton Difference614-547-6516
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
We answer 24/7. When you schedule an assessment, we start with your basement and your lateral, not a sales pitch.
1. Camera the Lateral First
So you don't pay for a conversion when the real problem is a crack or a clog.
2. A Layout for Your Basement
We plan the pit, pump and piping around your space and show you before we start.
3. Flat Price, Tested Before We Leave
You get a flat rate up front, and every system is tested before we call it done.
Customer Stories
Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
★★★★★
"We initially called and Edgar came when we had flooding in our basement, and throughout multiple days of different issues being found, he talked us through each piece, explaining our options, and kept in close communication about the progress and everything that had come up. He helped clear our drain, then fixed some piping in the basement, put a liner in our pipes, and installed a sump pump, staying late to ensure we had working plumbing."
★★★★★
"Thank you to Scott and Payton for coming by and helping us out. They identified a sewer pipe problem that was worse than what we were expecting, they provided a solution to the problem that will help in the long run and we have confidence that the solution will solve the problem and that we will not have to worry about it in the future"
★★★★★
"Scott was so helpful and easy to work with! He was so patient and thorough in explaining our options! And Walter loved him!"
Got Questions?
Overhead Sewer Questions From Columbus Homeowners
It stops sewer water from coming up through basement drains. Groundwater is a sump pump job.
It stops sewer water from coming up through your basement drains, which is the most common storm problem in older Columbus neighborhoods. It won't stop groundwater coming through the walls or floor. That's what a sump pump handles.
Sometimes. It depends on how your plumbing sits relative to the sewer. Repeat backups usually need more.
Sometimes. A backflow valve closes when sewer water tries to flow back into the house, and it can be enough for some homes. If you've had repeat backups or you use the basement every day, an overhead system is the more complete fix. We'll look at your setup and recommend one.
Usually a few days, depending on your basement layout.
Most installations take a few days, depending on how many basement fixtures need to be rerouted, where the pit goes and how finished the space is. We'll give you a realistic schedule before we start.
It depends on your layout, depth and whether you have an ejector pit. You get a flat price first.
It depends on how deep the connection is, your basement layout, whether an ejector pit already exists and how easy the work area is to reach. We walk you through it and give you a flat rate before any work begins.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Columbus
Learn More
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.
Toilets & Fixtures
Running toilets, leaky faucets and new fixture installs for kitchens and bathrooms.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Stop Worrying Every Time It Rains?
Our Columbus office is at 1387 W. Goodale Blvd, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Clintonville, Victorian Village, German Village, Bexley, Hilliard, Dublin and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Columbus Office
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