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Basement flooding and sewer backup in New York

Plumbers for backwater valves, sump pumps and drains.

100 pros in New York

New York City basements have already been tested by one storm. The remnants of Hurricane Ida reached the city on September 1, 2021 and set a record for single-hour rainfall, and the City estimates about 33,500 buildings were damaged. Flooding here comes in two ways: sewer backup and groundwater. NYC DEP says groundwater flooding happens when saturated ground sends water through a crack in a foundation wall or a leaking floor drain, usually after a rainstorm. That affects what you ask for. Before you hire, work out whether water came from the sewer line or through the walls and floor, since the fix differs. If the work changes any piping, such as adding a backwater valve or rerouting a drain, the City requires a Licensed Master Plumber to supervise it, pull the Department of Buildings permits and arrange the inspection. Ask any contractor who holds the licence, who files the permit and who books the inspection. Waterproofing of walls and floors is a different scope from plumbing, so ask for each part in writing.

Source: NYC Recovery, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in New York

  • NYS DEC says the National Flood Insurance Program covers sump pumps and foundation elements in a basement, along with cleanup costs. It does not cover basement improvements such as finished walls, floors or ceilings, or contents such as furniture. The program defines a basement as any area with a floor below ground level on all sides.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (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 New York

Who can legally install a backwater valve in New York City?

Work that alters, rearranges, relocates or permanently removes piping must be supervised by a Licensed Master Plumber or Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor. That licensee obtains the Department of Buildings permits and arranges inspection of the finished work. Ask to see the licence before you sign anything. NYC Department of Buildings (source, opens in a new tab)

How do I know if my basement water is groundwater or sewer backup?

NYC DEP describes groundwater flooding as water entering through a foundation wall crack or a leaking floor drain, typically after prolonged rain saturates the ground. Sewer backup is different. If you are unsure, say so when you get quotes and ask each contractor how they would find the source. NYC Department of Environmental Protection (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a quote for basement flooding work include?

A quote should name the problem being fixed, the work and materials for each part, who pulls permits, and what warranty applies. It should separate plumbing work from waterproofing. Ask how cleanup and any inspection are handled, and get the scope in writing before work starts.

What happens if the backup comes from my private sewer line?

After a 311 sewer backup complaint, NYC DEP says it will inspect within six hours, though heavy rain or snowmelt may cause delays. If the backup is traced to the private sewer service line, the owner is issued a Notice to Repair, because owners maintain and repair that line. NYC Department of Environmental Protection (source, opens in a new tab)

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