Sean Wlock Excavating & Landscaping
Earthwork firm that also does sump pump work, French drains and basement waterproofing. Family-owned, it works in Utica, Whitesboro, Marcy and Oneida, and gives free estimates.
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Basement flooding and sewer backup in Utica
Plumbers for backwater valves, sump pumps and drains.
6 pros in Utica
Utica sits in a part of the Mohawk Valley that saw serious flooding in late October and early November 2019, when Oneida County stayed in a state of emergency and a number of roads in the city were shut down. Nearby Herkimer had people evacuated, and a shelter opened at the Whitesboro Fire Department. For a basement, that history is a reason to plan before water arrives, not after. Before you hire anyone for a sump pump, drain or waterproofing job, check the city's permit rule: construction costing a set threshold or more needs a building permit in Utica, and work in the Scenic & Historic District needs one regardless of cost. Ask the contractor who will apply for the permit and get that in writing. Also talk to your insurance agent, since state guidance says flood coverage for basements is limited and a policy normally takes 30 days to start.
RFC Contracting
Open around the clock, every day, this family-owned firm installs and repairs sump pumps and clears drains. It has worked since 2008 and serves Utica, Rome, Ilion and nearby towns.
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Scharf Plumbing and Drain
Family-run since 1925, this Utica plumbing business installs sump pumps and sewage pumps and clears drains. It keeps weekday hours only.
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Superior Drain Solutions
Based in Brewerton, this firm handles sewer backup prevention, sewer line repair and drain cleaning, and it offers camera inspections. It runs day and night.
Also serves Syracuse
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Muller’s Plumbing & Drain Cleaning
Round-the-clock service, every day, covers sump pumps, flooded basements and sewer line repair. Kohler is one of its brands, and financing is available.
Also serves Albany
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Drain Masters LLC
Covers sump pumps and drain cleaning, and also works on septic tanks and grease traps. Its towns include Utica, Rome, Herkimer and Oneida.
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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
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What to know in Utica
During the heavy flooding of late October–early November 2019, Oneida County remained in a state of emergency. A no-unnecessary-travel advisory was issued and a number of roads were shut down in the city of Utica.
In the same November 2019 flooding, the Red Cross opened a shelter at the Whitesboro Fire Department on Oriskany Blvd. Governor Cuomo said the Herkimer, Dolgeville and Little Falls area had an emergency situation with people being evacuated.
Before you hire
Ask which permits the job needs and who will get them; your municipal building department can tell you before work starts.
Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.
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.
Questions about hiring in Utica
Do I need a permit for basement waterproofing in Utica?
It depends on the job. The City of Utica requires a building permit for construction at or above a set cost, and for any new construction or renovation in the Scenic & Historic District regardless of cost. Ask the Codes Department, and ask your contractor who will apply. City of Utica Codes Department (source, opens in a new tab)
Does flood insurance cover a flooded basement in New York?
Coverage for basements, crawlspaces and ground-level enclosures on elevated homes is limited, according to the state Department of Financial Services. It advises asking your insurance agent about any restrictions before you rely on a policy for basement damage. New York State Department of Financial Services (source, opens in a new tab)
How soon would a new flood policy protect me?
The state Department of Financial Services says a flood insurance policy normally does not go into effect until 30 days after you buy it. That means buying a policy once water is already rising will not help, so plan ahead of the wet season. New York State Department of Financial Services (source, opens in a new tab)
What should a basement waterproofing quote include?
Ask for a written scope of work, the materials and equipment to be used, who handles permits, the start and finish timing, warranty terms, and how changes are priced. Get at least two quotes and compare them line by line, not only by the total.