Water Damage Restoration in Philadelphia, PA

Why do Philadelphia basements back up when it rains hard?

Most of the older city drains through combined sewers. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) says basement backups happen in those areas, and it names the low-lying parts of Germantown, Kensington, Northern Liberties, Center City, South Philadelphia and Port Richmond as the hardest hit. Those pipes were laid when far less ground was paved, so rain that once soaked into soil now races into the sewer all at once.

Press reports add that the Delaware River has risen about a foot since the system was built, which leaves less room for storm flow to drain out. When the pipes are full, the water looks for the lowest opening in your house.

Sewage coming up a drain is Category 3 water. Keep children and pets out, do not run the washer or flush, and leave cleanup of porous materials to a crew with the right protective gear. The sewage cleanup service page explains what the work involves.

What happened to basements in August 2026, and what does it say about the city's drains?

Rain returned in July and August 2026 after 16 consecutive months of below-normal precipitation, and basements flooded across the city. PWD counts roughly 72,000 stormwater inlets, and leaves, dirt and trash clog them. Some were sealed shut when repaving raised street levels above the curb drains, so water that should have disappeared stood in the street instead.

That mix of old pipes, blocked inlets and a long dry spell followed by heavy rain is why the same few blocks flood again and again. A clean gutter in front of your house is worth a look before the next forecast storm, though no homeowner can fix a combined sewer.

If you rent or own in a flood-prone block, ask about the free backwater valve program below. It reduces the chance of sewage backing up, and it does not stop water from coming through walls or windows.

Is there help to stop sewer backups, and what does insurance usually cover?

PWD's Basement Backup Protection Program installs free backwater valves on basement fixtures or the main house drain for homes that qualify. The valves and installation carry a one-year warranty, and the homeowner maintains them afterward. Details are at water.phila.gov/basement or 215-685-6069.

Insurance is a separate question that your own policy answers. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood from rising surface water, and flood coverage is a separate policy that takes 30 days to become effective. Sewer or drain backup is typically covered only if an endorsement was added, so check your policy or ask your agent.

What a crew can do is document the loss. Take photos before anything is moved, and the crew can give you moisture readings and photos to share with your insurer. Coverage is decided by the insurer.

What do Philadelphia rules mean for a restoration job?

Under state law, a contractor does not need a Philadelphia contractor license to do home improvement work on one- and two-family houses and condominium units, but must hold the Pennsylvania registration with the Attorney General. Plumbing, electrical and fire-suppression work still need a Philadelphia trade license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).

In practice, that means the crew handles extraction, drying, and tear-out of wet material, while a plumber with a city trade license fixes the broken pipe or water heater. Pennsylvania requires most home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General and put a written contract in place for jobs over $500, and you can look up a contractor's registration on the Attorney General's site.