A GoFundMe page was started for a Homewood family whose basement was flooded with sewage after a pipe collapsed outside their home.
A GoFundMe page was started for a Homewood family whose basement was flooded with sewage after a pipe collapsed outside their home.
On December 30, Emily Pinto noticed sewage water coming up through a drainage tile in the basement. The family called an emergency plumber who told them as long as they didn’t run water, the problem could wait until the next day.
When they woke the next morning, they could smell that the water had continued to flow into the basement. Emily’s husband Blake Pinto used a shopvac to get as much out of the house as he could that day.
“We’re stuck,” Blake Pinto said. “I’ve been in contact with lawyers. I’ve been in contact with (media). Everything I’ve been told is that it’s just a (bad) situation. Right now, we’re just eating the cost and seeing what happens afterward.”
The Pintos have a 4-year-old daughter and an infant son. The family has been staying with relatives.
Portions of the yard and driveway need to be excavated for repairs to be made. The final estimates totaled $31,000, including a $1,500 deductible before homeowner’s insurance pays for interior damage.
Because the damage is between the house and the main connection, village code deems the homeowner responsible for repairs.
The GoFundMe page had raised $3,750 as of Thursday afternoon. The goal is raise $25,000. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/1v0xfn4bio.