Help! My Basement Is Flooded!

Turn Off Any Failed Plumbing

While most flooded basements are caused by heavy rains and groundwater flooding, others are caused by home plumbing failures.

When pipes, water heaters, washer hoses, or other pressurized water sources in your home fail, they can pour hundreds of gallons an hour into your basement. Some of the waterproofers at Basement Systems have seen a failed washing machine hose flood a basement up to the windows!

In cases where there is a plumbing failure, the first move will be to turn off the source of the flooding. Be careful to stay as high and dry as possible, as the water may contain bacteria, viruses, or high levels of electricity, depending on the situation.

Call A Disaster Restoration Company

While the term "disaster restoration" may seem a bit extreme for pumping out a wet basement, these are exactly the people you need.

Disaster restoration contractors are pros at pumping out water, drying your home, and preventing mold and rot. If you have carpeting, drywall, wood, or other organic materials in the basement, you'll want them to begin work within 48 hours.

During heavy rains, you'll want to call them first to beat the crowds. These companies usually have 24-hour emergency service available. Depending on your area, a local fire department may also be available to pump your basement out.

Some Basement Systems dealers also offer pumping services, and they would be glad to help you as well. If not, your local Basement Systems dealer will certainly be able to recommend a great company that serves your area.

Rescue Your Valuables

While there may be a few things you want to rescue right away, most things can be moved as soon as you've arranged to pump the basement out.

Again, be careful that your water isn't charged with electricity, and that there is no sewage or other toxic substance in the flooding. If you're not sure, it's best to err on the side of caution.

If photos, memorabilia, or electronics have been damaged, do not despair! Most disaster restoration companies have many ways to restore your items, recover lost data, and get your personal items back to their original condition. This is one of the key reasons to choose them over a standard pump-out from a plumber or fire department.

Since your basement is going to be humid, you should also move out several dry items, including photos, documents, and fabrics. While they may be OK now, they could grow mold in the near future as they're exposed to your dame basement. Be sure to take many pictures of the damage for your insurance company!

Contact Your Local Waterproofer

Here's where we come in -- your local basement waterproofers. If you live anywhere in Canada, we have a dealer in your area.

Each of our dealers is locally owned and operated, and trained at our International Headquarters in Seymour Connecticut, USA. They have exclusive access to our patented and warrantied products, which have been used in hundreds of thousands of basements worldwide.

In this business, when it rains, business pours in. Just like there's long lines at good restaurants during peak times, we'll be bustling with activity as basements flood all over the area. However, you can count on our trained staff to go above and beyond to help you solve your water issue as soon as possible.

Contact Your Insurance Company

If you have homeowners' insurance, now is the time to consult your insurance company. Your agent will be able to speak with you about your coverage options, and they can advise you about what arrangements may need to be made with the contractors you'll soon be meeting with.

Some insurance companies will offer flood protection, and some will not. Additionally, your company may differentiate from flood damage caused by failing plumbing versus flooding generated due to groundwater flooding.

Even if your flood was very small, and no insurance company call is necessary, you may want to make a mental note to call and find out exactly what kind of coverage you have, and whether you want to modify your policy accordingly.

Do Some Research on Waterproofing

The number of products and companies out there that are specialized just for waterproofing will be surprising! There's a lot of science behind basement waterproofing, and lots of new products have been developed recently.

Before hiring any contractor to waterproof your basement, make sure you check out their credentials. Look for reviews online, and check out their rating on the Better Business Bureau. You can also ask the company for customer references and testimonials, and be sure to find out if their workers are insured.

You'll also want to find out what kind of solutions they offer, and how those solutions measure up against the alternatives. Remember -- the old-fashioned ways are not always the best!