Do your gutters flow directly into your sewer system? I found that mine do and I think that's what causes the flooding and backing up of rainwater from the drain in my basement. I meant to get the gutters diverted last summer (to the front lawn), but I just had so much going on, I never got around to it. I think I'd better do that now. I'm hoping that if I do, I won't flood anymore - or not as much. A puddle around the laundry room drain would be better than "it's ankle deep across the entire basement floor". I know for you it's usually more than that, but I'm not used to ANY flooding, so even just ankle deep freaks me out. (At least it is not raw sewage... just rainwater!)