Flooding - on and off since August need some help/advice

reggi

I need some advice. On August 14, 2011, our house started flooding. We didn't know what was

causing it. We repaired gutters, disconnected gutters, put up awnings, all to no avail.

From August 14 forward, when we had lots of rain fall, the water would gush into our crawl space and

then into the rest of the house. We have a pump to stop it from coming all the way into our living

space, providing the rainfall is not to relentless. Finally, in late September, it was determined that

the water was getting in via Con Edison's conduit line. They came and put some fiber filler and

cement into the street manhole and since then, we've not had the water getting in until tonight.

We just don't know who to call for this - Con Edison is of no help. We have spent thousands

repairing damage done and repairs. We just don't know what "experts" to call for this problem.

We are sure it will involve digging up stuff and no doubt expensive. I'm home now as I am a

seasonal worker and don't get back to work until April. Anyone out there know anyone that has

had to deal with anything like our situation? With our limited funds, we can't afford to waste money

on underhanded contractors. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated. We are so drained by

this entire experience. We have had two months of living normal but it seems once we have

enough rain build up underground in the streets, we are back to living the nightmare of the water

gushing in..

Thanks for any input.

booklaw

There is something called (i think) a "backup valve", without which rain-flooded sewer pipes can empty at street level. I once lived in a ground-floor "garden" apartment, and during a heavy rainstorm the water came gushing into my apartment ober the top of the in-wall air conditioner. The landlord then had a backup valve installed, and the problem never recurred.

Can you see where the water is coming from? Is it coming from the same manhole? Perhaps ConEd needs to install a backup valve somewhere below ground.

reggi

I can see the water coming into my crawl space, this is how we determined it was via the Con Ed

conduit line. They have done all they can do as far as plugging up the manhole where our line

feeds down into the houses. They have been anything but helpful and clearly, half of this should

be their responsibility -- which is why I'm really trying to consult with the right type of contractor

to solve this problem. We can have a sump pump installed but solving the source of the water

coming in would be better I think. Either way, we may just have to have a pump installed with an

automatic switch. This is such a bad situation and there isn't much we can do about it.

Appreciate your sharing.

whynot_31

It sounds as if the ground around your place is literally soaked, so water comes in anyway it can.

So, while finding the point of entry is valuable, plugging it may just cause the water to come in somewhere else.

Ditto the sump pump. While running it may keep water from coming "up" thru the floor, it won't keep water from coming in from the sides. Basements and crawl spaces (especially old ones) will all leak if they are basically surrounded by water.

Is a neighbor's downspout or driveway channeled into your yard? That could quickly soak it and cause your crawl space to flood.

P.S. Lots of knowledgeable folks and contractor recommendations on Brownstoner.com

reggi

Thanks Whynot. Our neighbor's gutter is directed into his flower bed and the rest runs off down the

sidewalk, downhill from me. We do have a tree which has uprooted quite a bit of sidewalk a bit

in front of my house. I'm afraid of plugging up anything because I know it could end up coming in

another way. At least this we are able to pump out. This is why it's so frustrating. I've had

lots of people in and they want to tear up different things like my drain, want to find a sewer trap

but I know this is not my problem. Getting the right professional in to evaluate is so important.

Funds being limited don't want to waste money on the wrong people and still be in the wet.

Appreciate your thoughts.

homeowner

You should reach out to your local elected officials. They are often good at putting pressure on utilities to "do the right thing".

reggi

Thanks homeowner - We're trying to figure out where to

start and who to call. This is truly a very overwhelming

situation.

superclam

Hi, might I suggest that you hire an engineer? I know it's an added expense, but an engineer should be able to diagnose what's causing the water infiltration, and draw up plans and specifications to solve it. An engineer can also write letters that can be taken seriously in court if it comes to that.

Good luck!

catwalkertexasranger

reggi. why not has some good points. There are many semi in expensive ways to direct unwanted water. Many small Brooklyn fronts and back yards have no or inadequate drainage.

I am not sure I really understand exactly,,,but I am positive of a few things. The duct/chase/trunk that brings incoming electrical service feeds into your home or apt building is improperly installed/maintained or damaged. The chase tubes are often concrete and come in 3,4,5 foot sections. Like concrete Legos they make a little concrete tube that the incoming wires will be housed inside. There are no valves in the chase it is intended to be free from standing water it should have zero slope.

A check valve is used for sewer/waste water levels that can back feed into your house.There are NO water valves in electrical conduits

Any measurable quantity of water inside any electrical device is of grave concern and should not be repaired using spray foam or other horse shit easy techniques.

The electric feed wires coming into your house are not fused until after they are terminated at the service(circuit breaker panel). The NEC/NFPA have very clear standards about water on or near electrical services. if the leak,source of water is not from the wall of your building the National Grid asshole needs to come out and find out why water is inside the chase.

Think of it like a little concrete straw coming from the street to your apt, if it's plugged at the street and water is coming in, there is a hole somewhere else in the straw other than at each end. They need to fix it ASAP.

National Grid and Con Ed and whatever else they want to call themselves are a bunch of fucks at the exec level. They have had numerous examples of manhole covers having "stray" lethal voltages from improper terminations and water. They have killed dogs that have peed on light poles only to be electrocuted by some shit condition or repair at the pole. The base of most light poles have a small service access cover that is intended to be locked for public safety and electrical code. The unfused wires can kill in an instant,even a casual observer can see open covers, black tape and other bullshit excuses for not doing the job right are the norm not the exception.

We all can learn a lesson from the elevator tragedy, the latest when a Local 3 employee thought that a couple of details were not important. A lady got crushed,mutilated and killed because electrical code was not followed to the letter.

At the very least a utility supervisor should come out for a site visit and explain why water coming out of their pipe is your problem. He should also explain where in the NEC it says that incoming electrical service wires can occupy a pipe with flowing water. Make sure to have a video camera so he can watch the video from home after he loses his job.

If you go to NFPA.org and type in incoming elect service or primary conduits or.. you may find a result or two that fit your needs. You can also type in wet conditions or flood prone.

It's important that you get this fixed.You can also ask the supervisor if his electricians would ever think of working on a wet service without tested gloves and boots and a suit.* you should be nowhere near wet wiring!!!!

Wiring IS Not A Hobby.