Expert: Prevent Basement Flooding Before it Starts
Clearing gutters and unclogging drains goes a long way to prevent basement flooding.
A few minutes of preparation could save you hours of removing water from your basement and thousands of dollars in damages.
Todd Coleman, president of Basement Waterproofing Tech in Perry Hall, spoke with Patch on the eve of Hurricane Irene's expected rampage through Maryland. His advice to homeowners was simple: prevent basement flooding before the storms strike.
"Some people, no matter what you tell them, they won't do anything until the eleventh hour and by then it's too late," said Coleman, who has worked on basements throughout Maryland for the past 15 years.
He offered several tips for homeowners to prevent flooding and quickly remove water if it seeps in.
Before heavy rain or storms:
- Keep valuables and emergency items off basement floors. Flashlights, food storage, first aid items and tools should be elevated or kept on the first floor of the home during hurricanes. Valuables and anything in cardboard boxes should also be kept off basement floors.
- Examine the drains near exterior basement doors. Many homes have drains installed at the bottom of exterior stairways leading to basement doors. Remove any debris from around the drain cover. Then dump a few buckets of water near the drain. This will help flush out the drain and allow you to see if a clog exists. If the drain cover is plastic, consider drilling additional holes in it to increase water flow.
- Line basement doors with duct tape and towels. If a basement door is known to leak, do not open it during a storm. Keep it closed and cover the cracks on the interior and exterior.
- Clear out gutters and direct spouts away from your home. Gutters need to be free of leaves and debris in order for water to flow away from the sides of your home. Spouts should send roof water flowing within three to five feet from the home.
- Don't rely on masonry waterproofer paints to prevent flooding. Products like DRYLOK may help prevent dampness on basement walls but they cannot withstand the pressure of flowing water. These products can also lead to damage on homes with cinder block foundations.
- Check your sump pump and have a battery backup. Test your sump pump by removing the cover and dumping a few buckets of water onto it. If it does not begin working, call a professional or purchase a new one. Also, make sure it is equipped with a battery backup in case the power goes out.
If flooding occurs:
- Make sure there are no live electric lines in the water. Turn off your home's circuit breaker and wear rubber boots while treading through water.
- Consider plugging holes or leaks with hydraulic cement. If water is seeping in through obvious holes or cracks, commercial products like QUIKRETE can quickly and efficiently fill those areas. Be prepared to chip out part of the holes or cracks to make them bigger before filling.
- Use a wet vacuum cleaner to suck up puddles. Shop-Vac machines and other wet/dry vacuum cleaners can be helpful in removing small amounts of water, especially when it is not yet deep enough for the sump pump to begin working.
- Use fans and humidifiers after water is removed. Lift out carpet and get air circulating throughout the basement to prevent mold. Ideally the area should be dry within 48 hours of flooding.
- Call a professional to pump out water and repair basement. If the task becomes overwhelming or makes you feel unsafe, contact a trained professional immediately. Many offer 24-hour emergency services and bring in additional workers during hurricanes. Some cases of extreme flooding will require professional help to remove water.
Basement Waterproofing Tech plans to provide 24-hour emergency service during the storm. Services are available to customers in Central Maryland by calling 410-274-9682.
ServPro in Hunt Valley is also available for emergency service to customers by calling 410-229-0012.
Stacey Schantz
6:09 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Any one know where to buy a battery backup for a sump pump? Is this something I can do myself?
Noel Knepper
8:36 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Stacey, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc...we have been having lots of basement issues with the past few storms and our power goes out frequently, so my husband just bought one. My husband did it himself, (he is very handy) but it is pricey; $400. Good luck to you!
http://www.ias-world.org
6:00 am on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thank you for a very interesting website. What else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect manner? I've a venture that I am just now operating on, and I've been at the look out for such info.
Robert Armstrong
6:32 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
The 7.5 hour batteries are expensive for about $40-$50 more you can buy the whole unit (pump and backup)
Nick
8:02 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Another good idea albeit a fair bit more expensive is to have a small emergency generator installed. Depending on the size you can keep a few circuits in your house energized for an extended period of time. i.e. refrigerator/freezer, sump pump, fish tank, and anything else which could be damaged without power. If you live in an area that is subjected to extended power outages it really is an expense worth considering. The cost varies greatly with the amount of power that the unit is capable of generating but usually would range from $1500-$5000. The advantage to having one installed in lieu of a portable generator is that it will automatically come on in the event of a power outage instead of requiring a manual hook-up, so if you aren't home you don't need to worry.
Mark
7:50 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Great idea Nick. I bought one severals years ago, and it's great to have.
A IMPORTANT REMINDER TO ALL, IF YOU BUT A GENERATOR KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE DEADLY IF THEY GET INTO THE HOUSE. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE A NO BRAINER, BUT WE ALWAYS SEEM TO SEE A STORY INVOLVING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING INVOLVING SMALL ENGINE ITEMS.
Buzz Beeler
9:18 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Stacy, I had a battery backup system installed. It was $450.00 but the piece of mind was worth it. If you want, send me a private message and I give you the name of the contractor.
He stands by his work as he redid my basement without charge and honored the warranty.
Nick, I think after this storm there may be a lot of people considering you suggestion.
Buzz Beeler
9:21 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Emily, great article and very informative at a time like this. I bookedmarked it for future reference.
Stacey Schantz
10:56 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
I agree, my husband and I found this very helpful - and I will be sending him to Lowe's first thing...
Pat
9:39 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
We have a DC to AC power inverter. It connects to our running car battery and generates enough electricity to keep the sump pump, fridge, pellet stove, TV and a few more things going. We always make sure we have full tanks in both cars to keep us going for a couple of days. It cost us about $100 and was worth every penny!
Stacey Schantz
10:55 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
Thanks for all the info!!! Much appreciated, hope you all make it through the storm safely without any damage to your homes.
MK
9:19 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
It would be nice if the empty house next to me had electric. It flooded my basement Sunday. I call the councilman, Code enforcement and there is still electic to the house. Looks like I will have a flooded basement. yeah me!!
Sean Tully
10:00 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Yup, I didn't get that backup battery for the sump pump. A million people were quicker on the draw than I was. By the time I got out, all battery backups were gone. Hoping for the best, but obviously not prepared for the worst.
Buzz Beeler
10:07 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
MK, I feel bad for you. I've been through it twice. Not only the damage but dinging up the basement and redoing the french drain.
The sad part is that the people who just went through the flooding in the last storm are at risk again. No wonder people have lost faith in their government leaders. That problem has been ongoing for 20 years.
I guess the only thing for you to do at this point is move as much as you can from the basement to the second floor. This will help save your items and aid in the clean up if, Gog forbid, it happens again.
I try and look at it like others will be in a lot worst shape than us and you are not alone.
Buzz Beeler
10:18 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sean, the only reason I got one is the two times I went through flooding issue, one of which was caused by the loss of power.
If you prepare by moving all that you can to another level in he house you can start damage control right away. Dry vac as soon as possible and use fans if you have any. That aims in the drying and helps prevent mold.
I remember a time when the power was out, I used a bucket and emptied water from the pump well trying to stay ahead. It helped but man what a work out.
Hop you make it OK.
Sean Tully
10:26 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thanks, Buzz. I almost bought the Dry Vac, but I figured I'd use it one time. I'll have to go the bucket route if things get bad around here.
Sean Tully
10:27 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
p.s. Needless to say, that as soon as this storm passes and shelves are restocked, I am buying a battery backup for the next time.
Eric bel air
9:57 am on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
This is late but under #4, 2nd section it says "Use fans and humidifiers after water is removed"... Humidifiers? Yikes! lol
Buzz Beeler
11:44 am on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
My inbox shows a comment on Firefox and when it appears, what do you recommend because I've had some problems with this browser also?
http://invasivores.org/
4:01 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011
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Darnell Boltinghouse
1:14 am on Friday, December 16, 2011
Thanks for a very informative website. Where else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect means? I have a challenge that I'm just now operating on, and I've been at the look out for such info.
Smallfry Cohn
3:27 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
For more information on flood clean up in basements go to
http://www.si-restoration.com/articles-tips/