Sump Pump Break-Down

It’s a nightmare for any homeowner: You come home after a weekend at your in-laws’ and find a basement full of water. Apparently the sump pump chose that moment to stop working, and now there you are, standing in a pool of soaking wet boxes and furniture with no idea what to do or where to begin.

Obviously, you’ll need to clean up, but before you do, you’ll need to make sure the area is safe. Prior to entering the area, make sure there is no chance that you will receive an electric shock. Turn off the electrical power to the basement if possible, and make sure that no one is at risk from water and electricity. Also look for major structural damage in the walls or ceiling that could collapse or cause harm to those in the area. If you are unsure of the basement’s stability, contact Gordon Energy & Drainage. We are experts in dealing with wet basement situations and can help you restore your property and fix the damaged areas in a safe manner.

The next thing to do will be to call your insurance company. Find out what is covered and how they suggest you file your claim. Also, take pictures of the area and damaged items so that you can show the results to the company.

Now comes the hard part: cleaning up.

Before you head down to the basement, put on protective clothing including gloves, disposable overalls, protective eyewear and a facemask (if necessary). Again, if possible, shut off the electrical power to the area and resist the temptation to plug anything in to what may appear to be a clear outlet. Open windows if you have them, and get as much ventilation going to the area as possible.

Start by salvaging whatever belongings you can. The quicker they are removed, the less likely they will be to rot, warp or accumulate mold and mildew. While filtering through the items keep a list of what you pull out and separate what can be salvaged from what should be thrown out.

Obviously, excess water will need to be removed. Depending on the amount accumulated, you can either contact a water-removal/cleaning company or use a wet/dry vacuum in the area. Most rugs will need to be discarded, so remove them from the area and put them in the pile of items to be thrown away. Whether or not carpet and furniture can be salvaged will depend on the amount of water and damage accumulated.

Once personal possessions and excess water have been removed, it’s time to completely dry and disinfect the area. Spray all surfaces with lukewarm water, starting with the floor and working up. Scrub the surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner, and then rinse it off using a brush moistened with a solution of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

After the area is cleaned and dried, you’ll want to replace your sump pump. And, this time, in order to prevent the unexpected from happening again, we suggest equipping your home with a back-up sump pump as well, especially if you frequently use the basement or use it to store valuable items.

At Gordon Energy & Drainage, we are proud to be Kansas City’s top sump pump installation company and can provide you with a reliable replacement to protect your home. It’s just a fact that basement floods and broken sump pumps are part of life’s unfortunate accidents. There’s no way to prevent the situation outside of doing your part to replace old pumps occasionally. That’s why we at Gordon Energy & Drainage encourage you to examine the quality of your sump pump and determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. After all, you don’t want to “wade” through the situation we described above. Instead, protect your home and your possessions by maintaining a working sump pump and knowing your property is secure.

So, whether you are the victim of a wet basement or would just like more information about sump pump replacements, contact Gordon Energy & Drainage today!