Need some storm drain work!!!

[Trak Ratt]

:shock: The storm tonight over worked our sump pump which of course burned it out. Naturally the basement filled up with water. I’m calling Allstate tomorrow for some help on that. But the problem was exacerbated by the poor drainage from the back of the garage down the full length of that driveway. So what I need is a good storm drain/landscape/driveway contractor to get this mess sorted out. Any first hand recommendations (or Dorki’s in the business??) greatly appreciated. Looks like a pretty big job since I think the original contractor screwed the pouch on the design and implementation.

[HoodPin]

Ouch. Do you know where the water entered the basement? Doorway...window(s)? If this is the first time its happened, would damming the entry point(s) to a higher level work, as opposed to revising the entire landscaping?

[Fairfax 944]

Of course, our resident Allstate insurance guy will know best on what's covered, but my experience is that flood water entering a basement is generally not covered by home-owner's insurance. You may need special flood insurance, but maybe a failed sump pump makes a difference. Scott??

Sorry about the head ache. Flooded basements absolutely suck!

[Rick V]

Sweeeeeeeeeet I smell another ditch at TR's

[Trak Ratt]

Of course, our resident Allstate insurance guy will know best on what's covered, but my experience is that flood water entering a basement is generally not covered by home-owner's insurance. You may need special flood insurance, but maybe a failed sump pump makes a difference. Scott??

Sorry about the head ache. Flooded basements absolutely suck!
It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

[HoodPin]

It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

Sounds like it didn't come in from perimeter leak. Sump pump bought the farm, and the water came in thru the pump's well? If that's the case, not sure how effective french drains around the perimeter would work; that usually resolves leakage thru the wall or gap between floor slab and wall. Water under the house is much harder to control, other than a working sump pump.

[Fairfax 944]

It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

You may want to consider running 2 sump pumps. My mom is in a fairly low area, and has 5 sump pumps in one big sump. There have been a couple of times that the sump nearly overflowed, even with those 5 pumps. She does have a standy-by generator in case the electricity goes out. Before the generaor, she once had the power go out during a heavy rain storm, and she had a big swimming pool in her basement.

[dweymer]

But the important question is: are the guns ok??

Sux DR hope you get it cleaned up soon.

[Trak Ratt]

Thanks, all very good tips but what I really need is someone to reengineer my under driveway storm drains and then repair the drive!
We already have French drains around the perimeter, battery backup, extra sump pump and a dehumidifier for the basement et., etc.. That’s why the damage is actually very little. But in the summer heat growing a nice crop of mold and mildew are our main concerns.

[roundel]

But in the summer heat growing a nice crop of mold and mildew are our main concerns.

Bug sprayer with a 50/50 mix of bleach and water on any surfaces that can tolerate it. Spray on wipe off. Kills mold dead.

I am with you on the drain issue. Despite my arguments, the drains put in for my garage are not large enough in diameter. I was just too tired and broke to keep up the fight.

[Trak Ratt]

Thanks to all for the basement cleanup "tips", really sorry I added that part to the original post. The storm last night may have been the catalyst for my post but the driveway drain issue is a completely separate unrelated issue.

[SilverStreak]

Sucks TR,

I always had good luck with a company called SiteWorks, Inc. I called the to make sure they worked for homeowners not just developers and you are in luck.

Ask for Bill Walters 703-335-2571. they can handle the drainage, driveway situation.

I imagine the water table is very high right now which may be most of your problem, not the actual rain from last night but more of a cumulative situation. Stuff like this is not cheap, not cheap at all. You may need to get a drain under the house or add a sump crock. Or, if you are lucky, it is just a grade issue that needs to be massaged.

If you need inside clean up I always call Service Master 1800-737-7663 (same outfit that cleans oil and antifreeze off the track at the Glen!)

[SilverStreak]

A follow up, the driveway/drain issue: is that in an easement, is that something you should call the city/county about?

[Trak Ratt]

Thanks Hunt. I'll give them a cal this morning. Come get your wheel, I’ll be home today and tomorrow. Will need it back before WG like before.

[Redroc]

DR,

I used a company called D.L. Williams Site Improvements at my house. They did all of the grading and ran new water and sewer lines. It's a father and son team based out of Franconia. They are good guys and have been great to deal with. I don't think they do any paving but should be able to handle all of the prep work prior to the actual paving. They have been around long enough that they probably have some paving contacts too.

Give Larry Williams (the son) a call. His cell # is 571-259-3585.

Good luck!!!

[SilverStreak]

Thanks Hunt. I'll give them a cal this morning. Come get your wheel, I’ll be home today and tomorrow. Will need it back before WG like before.

I may come by tomorrow. thanks. pm your number when you get a chance. It may be late morning/midday.

[Vicegrip]

You can use my O2 generator while basement is drying up to de stink it.

[Trak Ratt]

You can use my O2 generator while basement is drying up to de stink it.
Please, thank you! I'll call U tomorrow.

[SilverStreak]

You can use my O2 generator while basement is drying up to de stink it.

What is that avatar? Is it inappropriate for a family website?

[Trak Ratt]

What is that avatar? Is it inappropriate for a family website?U R so in the wrong business!!! Mom, apple pie, droving and dogs, what can we be about if we can't be about that :?

[roundel]

I called my buddy who is a plumber and amazingly generous for friends, but he said South Bumfuck was too far for him to roll. Sorry.

[Trak Ratt]

I called my buddy who is a plumber and amazingly generous for friends, but he said South Bumfuck was too far for him to roll. Sorry.
Did you tell him if it was raining you'd drive him down :?

[roundel]

Did you tell him if it was raining you'd drive him down :?

:D:lol: He is one of us amphibious drovers too.