Our team has been very busy this week because we have a few homes currently listed for sale, as well as some rental properties where the tenants have experienced basement flooding. We’ve had to work with the tenants and their insurance companies, have contractors come out to pump out the water, dry the basement, and replace the flooring. After that, we’ll need to use a moisture meter to check for any remaining moisture and determine whether the drywall and insulation also need to be replaced.
Tracy put this together quickly for everyone to review in case the information is helpful:
- Have a sump pump. Get a pump with a little more power—don’t try to save money on this. If you have a finished basement, it’s also a good idea to have a backup sump pump.
- Have a dehumidifier to help remove moisture from the basement. DO NOT plug the dehumidifier and sump pump into the same outlet. If both machines are running at the same time, they can overload the circuit, causing the breaker to trip and the sump pump to stop working. Consider using a surge protector as well to help protect the outlet from power fluctuations.
- Clean the gutters and window wells twice a year. Also, make sure the soil around the house is graded properly so water can drain toward the city sewer more easily.
- If the basement floods:
- Contact your insurance company immediately.
- Go to Menards, Home Depot, etc. to rent a water pump to remove some of the water, as well as air movers and fans to help dry the area. If there is a significant amount of water, call a restoration company so they can bring in stronger, industrial-grade equipment to remove the water and dry everything out quickly.
- If the sump pump is running but can’t keep up with the amount of water, you’ll need to use an additional pump to help remove the water. This equipment can also be rented.
- Check your homeowners insurance to make sure you have water intrusion coverage.
- Consider installing water leak detection devices in the house.
Below are the links/photos for everyone to reference. Hopefully, not too many homes are affected!
- Restoration Companies:
- PuroClean
- Doan Re-Storation
- SERVPRO
- Do NOT plug them into the same outlet.
- If the outlet trips, the sump pump will stop running.
- Air mover
- This device can detect water in the basement and send an alert through the app, but it needs an internet connection to send the alert.
https://us.store.tapo.com/products/3-pack-ip67-smart-water-leak-sensor-hub-required-tapo-t300?utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&im_ref=WArXfNzbDxyZU4qWKIz6S3KJUkr0dHXPQS%3AIw00&sharedid=&irpid=101044&irgwc=1&afsrc=1
- Taskstar Water Transfer Pump
Tired of dragging extension cords across wet yards, struggling with slow siphons, or dealing with pumps that leave puddles behind? Meet the Cordless Stick Water Transfer Pump - your hassle-free solution for fast, reliable drainage, built for homeowners, gardeners, RV/boat owners, and outdoor enthus...
P/S: I wrote this quickly during my break. Respond and let me know if you would think I should add something else that I forgot.
