Braced
Menu

Basement flooding and sewer backup in Boise

Plumbers for backwater valves, sump pumps and drains.

36 pros in Boise

Boise sits on a river that dams do not fully tame. Ada County Emergency Management says the Boise River is still subject to flooding despite three large dams, and flows have reached or passed the 7000 cfs flood stage ten times since 1982. In 2017, federal water authorities released more than 7,000 cfs down the river for 101 days, and flows spiked to 9,500 cfs several times in May. For a basement, that means high water can linger for weeks, not just hours. When you hire for sump pumps, drains or waterproofing, ask how the system will cope with a long wet spell, and whether a backup power source for the pump is part of the quote. Boise's Planning and Development Services says that if you are not doing all the plumbing, electrical or mechanical work yourself, the person doing it must be a State of Idaho registered and licensed contractor in that trade. Ask to see the licence, and ask who pulls the permit before work starts.

Source: Boise River Flood Control District #10 (source, opens in a new tab)

Show 16 more

Not yet verified. We checked that each one’s own website offers this work, but we haven’t contacted them yet. How a business gets listed

Know a good one we’re missing? Suggest one

What to know in Boise

  • The National Weather Service gives Boise's all-time record low as 25 degrees below zero, set on 22 December 1990. It also says a persistent temperature inversion with snow cover keeps winter temperatures in the west end of the Treasure Valley several degrees colder than Boise.

    National Weather Service Boise (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Ask which permits the job needs and who will get them; your municipal building department can tell you before work starts.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Boise

Who is allowed to do basement drain or sump pump work in Boise?

Boise's Planning and Development Services says that if you are not doing all of the work yourself, the person doing it must be a State of Idaho registered and licensed contractor in that trade. Ask for the licence details and check them before you sign anything or pay a deposit. City of Boise Planning and Development Services (source, opens in a new tab)

Can I do the work myself as a homeowner?

The city says a homeowner acting as their own sub-contractor must get a permit and perform the work themselves. If you bring in anyone else for plumbing or electrical parts of the job, that person must be licensed in that trade. Confirm with the city before you begin. City of Boise Planning and Development Services (source, opens in a new tab)

How high has the Boise River run in past floods?

Ada County Emergency Management reports flows of 9840 cfs in 1983 and 9590 cfs in 2017, against a flood stage of 7000 cfs. The river has reached or passed that stage ten times since 1982. Ask any contractor how their design handles prolonged high groundwater. Ada County Emergency Management (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a quote for basement waterproofing include?

A written quote should list the scope of work, materials, who holds the licence, who pulls any permit, the timeline, and the warranty terms. Ask whether a backup for the sump pump is included. Get the same details from each contractor so you can compare quotes fairly.

Other jobs and cities

Other jobs in Boise

Basement flooding and sewer backup in other cities