PSA: South Crown Heightsers Should Install Backwater Valves
by Yossie Goorevitch
Rainy season is upon us, and for anyone living in the southern parts of the Shechunah, that comes with the fear of flooding.
Last year’s hurricane is still very fresh in the minds of anyone who’s basement flooded due to NYC’s drainage system being inadequate. The reality is that NYC has a mostly combined sewer system, meaning that the same pipes carry both your sewer waste and storm water out of the city. This system is for the most part incredibly antiquated, and can realistically only handle around 1.75 inches of rain per hour.
When heavy rain occurs, the system gets overwhelmed, the pipes can’t handle the volume of stormwaters, and everything backs up into the lowest lying areas of Brooklyn. The basements of homes in the south of Crown Heights seem to get badly hit every time there is a deluge (Maple, Midwood, Rutland and so on), with dirty water rising up through basement sewer access points, tubs and bathrooms.
I would suggest anyone that lives in these low-lying areas to install a backwater valve, also known as a backflow prevention valve. It’s a simple apparatus that is essentially a flap installed in your main sewer line that lets water/waste flow out, but anytime there is pressure from the other direction, the flap closes and holds the waters back until the pressure subsides (i.e. until the city’s system catches up with the volume of rain). Speak to your plumber and get it done as soon as possible.
I’m so glad I took care of it last year immediately after Hurricane Ida. This morning, a lot of residents woke up to find their basements flooded yet again from the storm earlier this morning, but our basement was B”H fine. I hope this helps you avoid future headaches, it’s well worth the cost!
Josh
During the Fall, people should also frequently check their backyard drain to make sure the falling leaves haven’t covered/clogged their backyard drain.
all talk no do!
big talker there you want everyone to spend a few thousand dollars to dig up their basements to cut into the sewer line to install a back water valve something that will run them app $5k minimum to do including the cost of digging breaking concrete etc. I suggest you put your money where your mouth is or tell the useless illegal community council create a fund for everyone to do so!!
kan Zivah
If you live in a low lying area then you don’t really have a choice. It goes hand in hand of home ownership.
South ch resident
Thank you very much for this information. If you did get a sewer backup or flood it is imperative that you call both 311 and your local council member to file a complaint. The more complaints we have the better the chance that the city will fix the problem
chaya
The actual problem is that those streets you mentioned are the lowest points of elevation in the general area. Check out a city topographical map.
Dov
It would be a lot cheaper to install a automatic sump pump which will work equally well provided there’s no loss of power.
A plumber can installl
It’s a life saver for a backed up sewer line on shabbos and yontiff
The problem with the back flow doesn’t correct a backed up sewer line during a rain storm when all the water from roof garage roof or area drain is backing into basement
Ari Stikowitz
I live in the highest point of CH and I had a major backup in my basement. This is a community wide issue. I have a very powerfull sump pump but it was no match to the amount of water that rushed inside in a matter of minutes. I have major damage now even though I have a sump pump.
SW
For roof you need to do what everyone in Boro park did. They rerouted the gutters from going into the basement. I did the same and it did wonders. all my gutters now run into the street or backyard