If a home has a basement, it’s highly likely that it also has a sump pump installed. Some homes even have multiple pumps depending on the size of the basement and the chance of flooding in their area.
Though sump pumps are a great way to protect a home from flood damage, they aren’t risk-free. Just like any piece of equipment, a sump pump can fail, which will lead to water backups, flooding, or water damage. Not all hope is lost when this happens. Homeowners can be better prepared for a sump pump flooded basement cleanup after reading this guide.
Reasons for Sump Pump Failure
The best way to deal with a sump pump flood is by preventing it from happening in the first place. In order to do that, homeowners need to know what causes the malfunction.
The majority of sump pump failures occur during times when there is constant heavy rain. This can cause the sump pump to overwork itself as it tries to keep up with all the water that is seeping into the basement. Eventually, it tires itself out, and the home no longer has that line of defense protecting it from the water leaking through the basement walls and foundation.
If there is enough rain, it may continue to rise until it starts to pool on your basement floors. When this happens, homeowners should consider the following sump pump flood tips.
How to Handle Small Sump Pump Flooded Basement
Some sump pump flooded basements are worse than others. If the flooding situation is minor, homeowners may be able to tackle the cleanup on their own. It’s recommended that they start by removing any valuable items from the basement. Heavy furniture should be moved away from the affected area, if possible. This will prevent secondary water damage like mold growth or rot.
Homeowners can use mops or towels to remove small amounts of water. Fans and dehumidifiers will help to dry the area and remove any moisture that could lead to mold or mildew. As soon as the sump pump flooded basement cleanup is done, homeowners should contact a plumber to replace their damaged pump. This particular step may be difficult to do if the plumbers are busy with other homes affected by heavy rain events.
How to Handle a Major Sump Pump Flood in Your Basement
When it comes to heavy water damage, it’s critical that homeowners contact a professional instead of trying to clean the sump pump flooded basement on their own. Serious flooding situations should be handled by a certified water damage specialist. They can be trusted to get a home back to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently because they have the right training and tools. In fact, their commercial pumps work fast to extract large amounts of water from flooded basements. They also use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and fans that dry out the affected area.
When homeowners choose to hire a crew to assist with their sump pump flooded basement, they can sit back while the experts move all of their contents and restore them. The professionals can even remove or dry soaked carpet, depending on how much it’s been damaged. Finally, they can use their tools to read moisture levels at the final inspection. This ensures the effectiveness of their water damage restoration plans.
It’s important that homeowners hire a water damage company that has 24/7 availability. You never know when disaster will strike! If they are able to respond to these calls right away, they can drastically reduce the amount of damage. After all, time is the biggest enemy when a home floods.
Find out More About How to Deal with Sump Pump Flooded Basements
It never hurts to have a backup sump pump, but hindsight is 20/20. If you’ve already suffered from a flood as a result of a failed sump pump, then you should contact First & Last Restoration right away. Our experts are available 24/7 to help with any water damage emergencies, so give us a call.
