FAQ
Water comes up through my floor drain in heavy rain. Can I still finish the basement?
Possibly, once the cause of the backup has been assessed and controlled. Philadelphia sewer backups during heavy rain are different from groundwater or water entering through walls and floors. A backwater valve or downspout modifications may help in some situations, but neither guarantees that flooding will be prevented.
The Philadelphia Water Department offers a Basement Backup Protection Program that may provide free backwater valve installation and related downspout modifications for eligible homeowners. PWD determines eligibility and the appropriate work after inspecting the property. NK reviews the basement's water history and potential program eligibility before planning and pricing related remodeling work.