Basement waterproofing in Big Flats, NY
For the broad, level stretch of the Chemung valley west of Elmira, from the Big Flats hamlet to Harris Hill.
Big Flats is a town of 7,822 (2020 census) on Chemung County's western border, just west of Elmira. It was organized from the Town of Elmira in 1822, and its earlier name, "Great Plains," describes it well: a wide, fairly level river valley running northeast to southwest, with the Chemung River crossing its southern part. Elmira Corning Regional Airport is here, and Harris Hill, home of the National Soaring Museum, rises above the valley.
Flat ground and a high water table
Flat land drains slowly. Houses on the valley floor, near the river and the farm fields that once grew tobacco, can see groundwater come up under the slab after long rains or a fast thaw, when there's nowhere for surface water to run off. Plenty of homes in the town have poured or block walls and finished basements, so leaks tend to start at the floor edge, at shrinkage cracks, or at a sump that can't keep up.
Up on the hills
Homes in Golden Glow Heights, Harris Hill Manor and along the valley sides deal more with runoff hitting the uphill wall. There, a footing drain that daylights properly and grading that sends water around the house often matter more than anything done inside.
What gets done most often in Big Flats?
- Sump pumps with backups and high-water alarms
- Interior drain tile under finished basements
- Crack injection in poured walls
- Whole-basement dehumidifiers
Common questions
Who handles permits in Big Flats?
The Town of Big Flats, not the City of Elmira. Ask the company to confirm with the town whether your job needs a permit.
Do you also cover Corning and Steuben County?
Our focus is Chemung County, but call with your address and we'll see whether a company that serves it is available.
Services in Big Flats
- Interior drain tileA perimeter drain under the edge of the basement floor that catches seepage and carries it to a sump pit.
- Sump pumpsNew pumps, replacements, battery backups, high-water alarms and discharge lines that move water away from the house.
- Foundation crack repairInjection for leaking cracks in poured walls and joint repair for block, brick and fieldstone foundations.
- Exterior waterproofingExcavating to the footing, sealing the outside of the wall and adding a footing drain so water never reaches the basement.
- Basement dehumidifiersProperly sized, self-draining dehumidifiers and moisture fixes for basements that are damp, musty or growing mildew.
Nearby areas
Water at the base of the wall, a crack that drips, or a sump you don't trust?
Call and a Chemung County waterproofing company will come trace where the water is getting in.