1. Stay Safe First
- Electricity: if water is near outlets, cords, a furnace, a water heater or the electrical panel, do not walk into it. Have the power shut off by your utility or an electrician first.
- Gas: if you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company from outside.
- Sewage: if the water smells like sewage or came up through a floor drain, treat it as contaminated. Stay out of it and keep children and pets away.
2. Find and Stop the Source
- Sump pump not running: check that it is plugged in, that the breaker has not tripped and that the float is not stuck. If the power is out, a backup pump or a generator is the only way to keep it running.
- Burst pipe or broken water heater: shut off the main water valve, usually near where the water line enters the basement.
- Storm water or groundwater: you cannot stop it right away, but clearing gutters and redirecting downspouts away from the house can slow it down.
3. Document Everything for Insurance
Before you move or throw anything away, take photos and video of the water, the waterline on walls, damaged belongings and the likely source, such as a failed pump or a split pipe. Then call your insurance company or agent.
Coverage depends on where the water came from. Sudden pipe bursts are often treated differently than groundwater seepage or surface flooding, and sump pump failures are often covered only with a water backup endorsement. Ask your agent before any cleanup company starts work.
4. Remove the Water and Dry It Out
- For a little water, a wet-dry vacuum works. For deep water, a pump or a water damage company is faster.
- Move wet items out of the basement to dry or to be thrown away.
- Pull up wet carpet and pad. They rarely dry well in place.
- Cut away soaked drywall and insulation above the waterline if they do not dry quickly.
- Run fans and a dehumidifier, and open windows when the air outside is drier.
The EPA recommends drying water-damaged areas and materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. Speed matters more than perfection.
5. Fix the Cause So It Does Not Happen Again
Cleanup companies remove water and dry the space. Waterproofing contractors fix why the water got in. Once things are dry, it is worth having the basement inspected while the evidence is still fresh. Depending on the cause, the fix might be:
- A new or larger sump pump, a check valve and a battery backup.
- Interior drain tile to catch groundwater before it reaches the floor.
- Crack repair, window well covers or better gutters and grading.
Learn more about sump pump installation and repair in Erie and basement leak repair.