Braced
Menu

Basement flooding and sewer backup in Rochester

Plumbers for backwater valves, sump pumps and drains.

38 pros in Rochester

In the City of Rochester, storm and sanitary sewers are combined, and Monroe County says the property owner is responsible for protecting the building from sewer backups during storms. The Rochester Pure Waters District recommends closing off every possible path for sewage to reach a basement. Snow adds to the picture: the National Weather Service Buffalo office puts season snowfall at about 90 inches in Rochester, and over 120 inches along the lake shore east of the city, so spring melt can load the system too. When you hire, ask what the work does about the backup paths the county names: open floor drains, toilets, sinks and shower drains. Ask whether a backwater valve is part of the quote, whether the sump pump and downspouts will be kept off the sanitary sewer, and whether any permit is needed for the work. Ask for the scope in writing, and have private drains inspected each year.

  18. Halco

    Founded in 2011, the family-owned firm handles basement waterproofing, sump pumps and drain cleaning. Brands include Kohler, Carrier, Trane and Navien, and service runs around the clock.

    Also serves Syracuse

    • Website checked

    Rated 4.9 out of 5 2,623 Google reviews · Nov 2026

    (315) 809-6711Website Halco (opens in a new tab)
Show 18 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 Rochester

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 Rochester

Who is responsible for stopping sewer backups into my Rochester basement?

Monroe County says the property owner is responsible for protecting the building from sewer backups during storms. That makes the work on your own drains, valves and pumps your decision to plan and pay for, so ask any trade to explain how their proposal addresses backups. Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (source, opens in a new tab)

Why does the combined sewer matter when I choose a fix?

In the City of Rochester, storm and sanitary sewers are combined. The Rochester Pure Waters District recommends eliminating all potential avenues for sewage to back up into a basement, so ask which openings a proposed job would close or protect. Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a quote for basement flooding work include?

A quote should list each item to be installed or repaired, such as a sump pump, drain or backwater valve, the area covered, who pulls any permit, what is excluded, the schedule, and warranty terms. Get it in writing and compare like with like.

What does Monroe County suggest to reduce basement flooding?

The county lists cleaning private drain systems regularly, having them inspected annually, and disconnecting sump pumps and downspouts from sanitary sewers. It names open floor drains and basement toilets, sinks and shower drains as the main backup paths, so ask a trade about each. Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (source, opens in a new tab)

Other jobs and cities

Other jobs in Rochester

Basement flooding and sewer backup in other cities