Hi all you patchers, especially you northern ones. The rivers are high, the ground water is very high and the likelihood of more rain is great. Combine all this and you have the ingredients for flooding basements.
1st Defense
If you have footing drains and they empty with a gravity outlet, make sure the open end of the pipe is not blocked with any obstacles. This will ensure the water will flow. Check and make sure your gutters are not blocked so they will allow the water to flow out.
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Sump Pumps
If you already have a sump pump, make sure it works and all the pipes are connected properly. Check the discharge pipe and make sure it will pump the water away from the house.
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Wet Vacuum
A good tool is the wet vacuum. It will pick up small amounts of water. An important thing is to only plug the vacuum into a ground fault outlet to prevent the risk of a serious electrical shock. If you need a ground fault outlet, have an electrician install one.
New Sump Pump
If you need to install a sump pump, you can try it on your own but it requires a 30” hole through your basement floor and where you put the pump is important. It might not do the proper job if you do not have the drainage system in your basement. That is why hiring a professional to install it, might be the best bet.
After the Flood
If you didn’t prepare and you have the flooded basement, then installing the sump pump or cleaning out the pipes becomes a very difficult job. To have a sump pump installed then can be very costly. The other problem is trying to find a wet vac or sump pump when everyone needs them.
Safety
Now remember, never walk in a flooded basement with an electrical cord and especially if it is not ground fault protected because you are asking for a serious or deadly consequence. Minor flooding can be vacuumed with a wet vac or a small pump with a garden hose can be used but major flooding needs the help of a good sump pump.
As usual be safe and prepared. Any questions or concerns, please email me at William.petrone@yahoo.com.
