Flooding & Leaks
Slow Basement Wall Leaks
Currently we get slow wall leaks, as though walls are "weeping" on NE and SE walls.
Backflow Floods
Toilets and sink backflow 1-2x/year, under very heavy, fast rain.
Water floods gym from rear bathroom, rains into basement through floor.
Water floods kitchen from front bathroom, goes as far as 1/2 way across space. When viewed from the basement, tends to "rain" in about a 5-15' radius from location of upstairs water fixtures.
Basement floods soak ceiling, accelerating ceiling sag, and other unknown effects re: rot and pests.
Response in the past has been to snake main drain. Results of this snaking (e.g. was a blockage detected, material removed, etc.) are unknown.
Backflow prevention mechanisms exist:
According to neighbors: 583, 585, and 587 (we are 585) all have issues, not clear if this means slow basement wall leaks or backflow issues.
Mitigation thoughts
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Short article discussing backflow and backflow prevention devices: https://aquacarewater.com/what-causes-backflow-in-plumbing/
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Another, with more detailed listing of devices: https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/10/28/backflow-preventer-types
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Yet another, basically identical to above, diff pics and text: https://school.sprinklerwarehouse.com/backflow-devices/types-of-backflow-preventers-overview-of-four-common-backflow-preventers/
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Yet another, basically identical to above, diff pics and text: https://backflowdirect.com/blog/understanding-the-different-types-of-backflow-preventers
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Specific explanation of difference between Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) and Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ): https://www.bigfrogsupply.com/blogs/big-frog-blog/the-difference-between-a-pressure-vacuum-breaker-and-a-reduced-pressure-backflow-preventer
^^^ backflow prevention valve placement info via plumber via electrician
Plumbing services to check with
Misc info
from: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/about/backflow-prevention-frequently-asked-questions.page
Cost
Where to find contractor
Licensed backflow testing people in Queens County
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/cross/backflow_testers/queens.htm
This list doesn't have contact details. via general search I found one person listed under "Maspeth":
https://nycmpc.org/members/?id=81926155&terms=%22armon%22
https://skaggswalsh.com/nyc-backflow-prevention-requirements-sw/
Roof Leaks
Current roof leaks:
Gym (not marked locations)
Mainspace, near couch area, other unmarked locations.
Pics w/captions:
Visible cracking on much of roof, even from far away.
Top roof downspout drains to lower roof, possible to direct to drain outside building?
Some areas would benefit from regular leaf/debris cleaning
Cracking, cleaning, and vent pipes need covers.
Cracking, cleaning, and vent pipes need covers.
Cracking, cleaning, and vent pipes need covers.
Pipes that could be covered.
List of licensed plumbers
List of licensed NYC area plumbers
Scraped from state licensing site.
Reports/quotes from visits are at the bottom below table.
Script
I generally just say:
"Hi, I'm calling on behalf of a community center in Ridgewood Queens. When it rains heavily, our toilets and sometimes sinks back up and flood our space. I'm calling to see if you might be able to help us with this."
From there it's all up in the air - some places will dispatch someone for a quote, some places might want documentation, some places like Kew Forest want to bill for an estimate visit.
Just try and get as much information out of each call as is possible.
List
Company / Contact | Phone | Called / Status | Followup #1 | Followup #2 |
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JOSEPH SANTULLO, Systems 2000 Plumbing Services | Call in, waiting 7/16 ~LP |
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Claude Sanz, T&C Mechanical & Sons llc | Voicemail, didn't leave message 7/16 ~LP |
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Sunny Johal, Tidal Plumbing & Heating LLC | Called 7/16, was emailed an estimate, attached below ~LP |
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Michael Marino, Ultra Plumbing, Inc. | Call in, waiting 7/16 ~LP |
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Ulric P. Gloudon, Unflat & Associates | Doesn't handle this type of issue, referred to https://kewforestplumbing.com/ 7/16 ~LP |
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Call in. $300/hr, all visits are billed, no estimates. Gave email, going to send pictures/diagrams to help try and get ballpark estimate pre-visit. | ||||
Andrew Bordieri, Velocity Plumbing & Heating Inc | Estimate visit on 7/24/26 - reportback below ~LP |
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Anthony Vigilante, Vigilante Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning |
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Marvin Wasoff, Wasoff Plumbing & Utility CO.,Inc |
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Stephen Lynch, Welkin Enterprises, LLC |
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Zev Weintraub, WNW & Sons plumbing |
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Carl Termine Jr, Advanced Plumbing Mechanical & Sprinklers Corp |
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Michael Zapas, Zapas Construction, Corp. |
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Vincent Todino, Zerega Contracting Corp. |
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Erik Gitli, Aladdin Plumbing Corp. |
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Patrick Dolan, Alcyone / Patrick Dolan Plumbing |
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Alexander Lieberman, Alexander the Great Plumbing & Heating Inc. |
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Joseph Critelli, Alklem Plumbing, Inc. |
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Jay Jarkow, All Day Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Roy Van Allen, Allied Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Philip Nable, Alpine Refrigeration Company |
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Joseph Carroll Jr., Americanmade Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Angelo Vecchio, Angelo Andrew Inc. |
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David Antenucci, Antenucci Mechanical Corp |
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Anthony Castagliola |
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Manuel Aranda, Aranda Plumbing Heating Corp. |
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Hershel Weiss, Ashokan Water Services, Inc |
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Daniel Schlissel, Atlas Plumbing & Meter Works, Inc. |
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Artur Grishaj |
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Paul Paddock, Backflow Prevention of NY |
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Fredric Davis, Best Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. |
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Matthew Kleinman, B-EZ Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Roger Macaluso, Bluewater Plumbing & Heating, Inc. |
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Idriz Haxhiaj, Budget Plumbing & Heating |
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Joseph Siniscalchi, Buildwise Plumbing Heating & Contracting Inc |
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Stefano Raffa, CC Controlled Plumbing |
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Christopher Bello, C.R.C. Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Vasyl Mysak, Coastline Plumbing & Heating Corp |
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Li Heng Andrew Chen, Cobot Plumbing and Heating Inc. |
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Richard Farrell, Day-Night Plumbing Heating & Cooling Corp. |
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Demetrios Skuludis, DDS Mechanical Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Raymond Wilson, Dependable Mechanical Corp |
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Aaron Sabb, Diligent mechanical services incorporated |
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Robert Mengler, Dundee Plumbing & Heating, Inc. |
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Douglas Weidner, DW PLUMBING INC |
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Edwardo Mule, E. Mule & Son Plumbing & Heating |
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Constantinos Skountzos, Ethos Plumbing Corp. |
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Gregg Goldstein, Five Star Plumbing & Heating Company Inc. |
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Luis See, Flushing Plumbing Corp |
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Joey Milohnic, Forward Mechanical |
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Timothy Williams, G & G Village Plumbing & Heating |
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George Bassolino III, G. Bassolino Plumbing LTD |
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Alan Bomzer, G.B. & Son, Inc. |
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Angelo Vasilikos, Go Pro Plumbing & Heating Co. Inc. |
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Pasquale Quaratino, Harris Plumbing & Heating |
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Andrew Impagliazzo, I.M.P. Plumbing & Heating Co. |
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Ira Grand, Ira L. Grand |
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Gerard Anthony Campitiello Jr., J.G.C. Plumbing and Heating Inc. |
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Jeetandra Dirpaul, Jerry's Plumbing & HVAC Inc. |
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John Sideris Sr, John J. Sideris, Inc. |
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Josephine OGrady, Josephine The Plumber |
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Brett Neuhauser, Kapnag Heating & Plumbing Corp. |
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Keith Cummings, KCM Plumbing Corp. |
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Angelo Lemodetis, Lemode Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Emmanuelle Sgouros, M & M Plumbing and Heating |
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Marco Guambi, M&G PLUMBING AND HEATING CORP. |
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Joseph D Marotta, Marotta & Sons Plumbing & Heating Contr Corp |
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Michael KARPATHIOS, Max P & H | — |
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Len Williams, McCready & Rice Plumbing Inc. |
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Robert McManus, McManus Mechanical Maintenance P & H Inc. |
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Edwin Vazquez, Metro Plumbing & Heating |
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Henry Traktman, Metropolitan Heat & Power Co. |
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Mitchell Markowitz, Metropolitan Plumbing & Heating Corporation |
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Anthony Edwards, Midtown Plumbing & Heating Corp |
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John Vaglica, NONSTOP PLUMBERS CORP |
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Daniel Vessio, Nulite Heating Plumbing Fuel Oil Co. |
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Nicholas Yavaldakis, NYCO Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Louis Abramo, Orbit Plumbing & Heating |
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Menachem Cohen, P.H. WORKS INC | — |
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Vito Palmieri, Pal-Mar Plumbing & Heating Inc. |
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Anthony Piscitelli, Paramount Services LLC |
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Anthony Passeggio, Passeggio's plumbing and heating corp. |
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Michael Petri, Petri Plumbing & Heating |
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Anthony Gianino, Pro Star Plumbing & Heating Contractors |
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Hal Rugova, Protocol Plumbing and Heating |
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George Kumbios, R & G Mechanical Corp. |
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Richard Bonelli, Ranshaw Plumbing & Heating |
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Daniel Rao, Rao Plumbing and Heating |
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Jona Szapiro, Reem Plg Corp |
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Christian Bayon, Reliance Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Mohan Budhai, RENEW PLUMBING CORP |
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Gabriel Ponterio, Richmond Plumbing & Heating |
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Steven Spano, Rooter Plus Plumbing and Heating |
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Kevin Rozza, Rozza Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Harris Clark, Sanitary Plumbing & Heating |
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Richard Scarponi, Scarponi & Son Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Robert Giuliante, Senid Plumbing & Heating |
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Stanley Alex Lewis, Stanley Lewis Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Thomas Schultz, Serve Well Plumbing & Heating, Inc. |
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Matthew Castiello, Stellmar Plumbing & Mechanical Corp. |
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Steve Fox, Stephen Fox P&H inc. |
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Eugene Kuljanic, Stivan Plumbing & Heating Inc. |
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Zeljan Ugarkovic, Adriatic Plumbing & Heating Corp. |
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Quotes
Velocity Plumbing & Heating
Check valve materials price ~600, labor ~400.
Valve + new drainage pipe reservoir $8-10k.
Would be installed in portion of drain pipe in stairwell. Check valve alone would sense pressure rise from municipal side and lock, preventing backflow. However, this means that water can't drain from building, so no showers or toilet flushes etc while valve is locked.
There exist alarm systems such that signals can be sent to residents to alert them that valve is locked.
Rainwater collected on the roof would continue to accumulate, and wouldn't have anywhere to drain while valve is locked.
This could be considered a positive move from current status: total floodwater amount would theoretically be less, given that it would be only roof water vs roof + backflow from sewage/wastewater city lines. Also the flood water would be more sanitary.
So even with a $1000 valve, we would still likely flood. To solve issue entirely, plumber suggests running a parallel 5" drainage pipe parallel but higher than existing drain pipe - basically building a reservoir tank into the drainage line.
I'm curious about only installing check valve, and modifying basement floor drains to accept larger flow, directed to 50g barrels in basement, with pump to empty them post-flood, either back into drainage lines (sump) or slowly into floor drains (cheap little peristaltic pump).
Tidal
