Roto-rooter expands service offerings
restored: Cazenovia home with a history to be brought back to original beauty. To read more see page 3
Roto-Rooter specializes in 24/7 emergency plumbing, sewer-drain cleaning. To read more see page 3
Excellence in Home, Garden & Energy February 5, 2014
looking ahead: On Feb. 12 read about Excellence in Education and Financial & Professional Services.
2014excellence A supplement to Eagle Newspapers
Don’t let your residence become a reservoir Tips for flood-proofing your home
With the onset of spring after a winter full of snow, runoff can sometimes cause flooding. Sometimes weather can cause a flooding event as well. In 2012, hundreds of miles of coastline along the northeastern United States were battered and decimated due to Hurricane Sandy. More than a year later, many homeowners were still dealing with the consequences of the devastating storm. Hurricane Sandy illustrated just how destructive water can be. Each year, storms across North America have the potential to flood homes or cause water to enter the basement or first floor. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, a mere six inches of water in a 2,000 square foot home can cause around $40,000 in damage. Homeowners looking to avoid such damages can rely on sump pumps and backup emergency systems to keep sublevels dry and safe. Sump pumps are frequently used in homes at risk of flooding or in homes where the water table is above the foundation of the home. Sump pumps remove Central New Yorkers have certainly seen water that has accumulated in a water cola fair amount of snow this winter, and with lecting sump basin built into the foundamore snow in the forecast, homeowners most tion of the home. Water may enter through likely will be facing a big thaw this spring. perimeter drains (French drains) built into Some may experience flooding as a result. the basement or directly through the sump There are ways to protect the home from basin itself. The pump will send the water flooding (see related story) but a good way away from the house through a series of to be protected in case it does happen is to pipes that could drain into a dry well, into purchase flood insurance. a municipal storm drain or at the curb. Just a few inches of water from a flood can Many sump pumps are hard-wired cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. into a home’s electrical system and will From 2008 to 2012, the average residential automatically turn on when the water flood claim amounted to more than $38,000, level in the sump basin has risen enough according to the National Flood Insurance to trigger the pump. A flotation device Program. Flood insurance is the best way to built into the pump will rise enough to protect yourself from devastating financial turn on the pump, which will then dispel loss. the water until the device returns to its Flood insurance is available to homeownregular level. ers, renters, condo owners/renters and comWhen operating correctly, sump mercial owners/renters. Costs vary dependpumps are effective at removing water and ing on how much insurance is purchased, keeping basements and crawl spaces dry. what it covers and the property’s flood risk. However, in the event of a power outage, All policy forms provide coverage for which is common when strong winds acbuildings and contents. However, you might company flooding rains, a sump pump is See FLOODING, page 2 rendered useless unless there is a backup
Are you covered in case of a flood?
See sump pumps, page7
Renovating? Check out your municipality’s permit process By Tami Scott Are you thinking of making some changes to your home? Maybe you want to build a shed, add a sunroom or expand your garage. Maybe the changes you have in mind aren’t that extreme. Depending in which town or village you live, the process for obtaining a permit may vary, but it’s slight. In the town of Lysander, for instance, a building permit is required solely for structural work, not interior work — and it’s pretty basic. Start by going online to the town website, townoflysander.org, to download and complete a permit form, or you can stop by the town hall to pick up at hard copy at 8220 Loop Road in Baldwinsville. Be prepared to present a set of drawings and materials list if it’s a do-it-yourself project, otherwise the town will request your contrac-
tor’s name, proof of insurances and a copy of their survey. If interior changes involve plumbing or fixtures, Code Enforcement Officer Tim Wolsey said residents need to contact Onondaga County Plumbing Control and/or any electrical inspector in the Central New York area, respectively, for separate permits. This applies to all area municipalities. To find an inspector, simply Google CNY electrical inspections or Syracuse electrical
inspections. There are several, Wolsey said, and the town does not recommend any one over another. Additionally, those who are building additions onto their home that don’t meet the town’s specific requirements must go to the Zoning Board of Appeals to apply for a variance.
If residents want to turn basements or garages into living space, there are codes to follow, but a residential permit is not mandatory. The codes are in place to follow egress and ingress fire regulations. In Van Buren, the application process also starts with the codes office. Residents can obtain the form online at townofvanburen.com or by stopping by the town hall, located at 7575 Van Buren Road in Baldwinsville. Like Lysander, the town of Van Buren requires a detailed description of the job, possibly a drawing depending on how intricate the project may be, as well as if electrical or plumbing work will be involved since both require separate permits. You must also provide the name of the contractor and proof of insurance. Code Enforcement Officer Dave Pringle will then review the completed application and, providing all the information is there,
will have the permit ready for pick up within a couple of days. On occasion, the process takes longer if the contractor isn’t initially insured, he said. The permit fee is based on square footage. Residents are not required to obtain a permit for driveways, patios and sidewalks — that type of work is considered “at grade,” Pringle said. Nor do residents need a permit for siding, painting an exterior home or adding shutters. Unlike the town of Lysander, Van Buren requires permits for certain interior work, like renovations that alter a structure such as taking out a wall to make a larger bedroom or dining area. Additionally, residents are encouraged to call the town to get window specifications if they’re looking to upgrade. There is a certain code for window sizes in bedrooms and there’s an energy code that goes along with the winSee permits, page 2