flooded backyard.....sewer service or plumber?

Last Sunday, during those very heavy rains, my back yard turned into a lake. Water flowed under the door of the ground floor apartment and the tenant justifiably went a little crazy.
There is a drain in the ground toward the back of the yard connected to a pipe. But my guess is that it hasn’t worked in years and even if it does I don’t think it is in the best location. What I need is someone to analyze the situation and do whatever is necessary so a flood does not recur.

sewer service? or plumber? any recommendation?

starfish11040

in Plumbers and Plumbing 14 years and 3 months ago

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Arkady | 14 years and 3 months ago

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French drain isn’t that expensive – that’s what I’d do after snaking the drain pipe.

NewOwner | 14 years and 3 months ago

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I’ve had luck with those $49.99 sewer people for outside clogs.  I think that this is the place I used, but there seems to be many similar businesses:  www.a4999**sewer**.com/ 

It’s literally $49.99 for the job, plus a tip to the guy.

brucef | 14 years and 3 months ago

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Please check my extensive answer about a week ago to the same question.

Silvermax | 14 years and 3 months ago

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The drain at the back probably needs cleaning out — if you don’t do it a couple of times in the season, it gets totally clogged with mud. Location may be fine if your yard is sloped slightly away from the house — I think it’s 1/4-inch per foot slope. If it’s a persistent problem, you could have a trench drain installed along the back of your house — a drain that is connected directly to your sewer line. Not cheap, but water won’t come into your house again. That would require a contractor, I would think — a plumber. But start with the existing pipe — lift the drain top and see if there’s a lot of dirt there and muck it out. Last Sunday set a record for rainfall in a single day in NYC. Sadly, the record will probably fall within a few years…