Neighbors and water management
Hi all, we are in a typical townhouse situation with an extension. Our immediate neighbors up the slope have the same layout, so both the homes and the extensions share a wall and extension facade. In the deluge last week I was checking all our skylights gutters etc and noticed that the neighbor’s back gutter on the extension, which receives all water from the house as well as the extension, was not taking in water. The water was instead shooting directly off the gutter at an angle–largely to the area immediately behind our extension, at the back wall. I texted them to let them know their gutter had an issue and they responded saying that they had had some flooding inside in the spring so had blocked the gutter intentionally. Not long after that water started coming in to that basement wall, for the first time, in spite of our waterproofing, french drain, etc. I let them know and they were very apologetic and said they would have the husband take a look at their gutter when he could. I know in a general way that each homeowner is responsible for their own water managem ent, but I’m wondering if anyone here can point me to specific codes or any other background so I have a better picture of what’s required and what I can do next if they don’t address this.
nf85
in General Discussion 6 years ago
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5 replies
dorkofwindsor | 6 years ago
While rain barrels are good for light rain, 2.0″ of rain (a very heavy day that floods many houses) on a 20×50 standard brownstone roof = 1,247 gallons, or twenty three 55-gallon rain barrels. So that would almost fill the whole backyard.
bklynbabe | 6 years ago
Would a rain barrel work here?
dorkofwindsor | 6 years ago
“So it’s not totally out of bounds that your neighbors did”
Well, it is illegal so there’s that.
2014 Plumbing code 1101.2:
All roofs, paved areas, yards, courts and courtyards shall drain into a separate storm sewer system, or a combined sewer system, or to an approved place of disposal. In accordance with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection, an approved system for beneficial collection and use of storm water may be installed, in which case overflow from such a system shall be discharged to a public storm or combined sewer.
redwagon | 6 years ago
It’s true that some people will let water run into the yard rather than into the sewer line in the house because the pipes tend to clog and flood the basement. One of the plumbing companies advised us to do this as well (we didn’t). So it’s not totally out of bounds that your neighbors did. You might want to check if your leader pipe is clogged and backing up. We just had Ajax Plumbing here to clear ours and I would recommend them. You can ask them about your neighbor’s issue. The guy they sent out was quite knowledgable. Good luck.
dorkofwindsor | 6 years ago
Intentionally blocked the gutter? Wow such clueless. Yes the gutters back up the main drain most places in the slope but you are really dealing with some real cerebral geniuses. Here is a NYC article a few years old:
paywall issues:
…..Since the water could wreak havoc on your property, you need to speak up. Call 311. Lodge a complaint with the Buildings Department, which routinely deals with drainage issues. Provide the operator with details, including addresses, the precise location of the problem, and whether an inspector could see the faulty drainpipe from your property. Follow up with another call to 311, this one directed to the department’s plumbing enforcement unit, which should expedite the process. If the inspector finds the neighbor’s drainage system is, in fact, funneling water onto your property, the city can issue your neighbor a citation.
“Once that happens, your neighbor likely will take steps to correct the problem,” said Eric D. Sherman, a Manhattan real estate lawyer.
Filing a report with the city will also help you create a paper trail in the event that you sue him for damages………