Don't Panic! What to Do When Your Basement FloodsPublished: December 8, 2023

Dealing with a basement flood is one of the most overwhelming things you can experience when it comes to owning a home. This stressful situation can leave you wondering where to even start to get your home back in a usable condition. And worse still, basement flood clean-up can be dangerous depending on the specific situation. But there’s good news: despite all this, there’s no need to panic. We know just what to do when a basement floods. Keep reading to find out!

Is basement flooding common?

First things first, how common is basement flooding really? Since the basement is the lowest level of your home, it’s built partially or fully below ground level. This makes it inherently prone to flooding. That’s why it’s wise to have something in place to help prevent a basement flood in the first place, like a sump pump. 

This is especially important if you live in an area that’s more prone to experience basement floods. Here are two general common basement flood causes.

Basement floods in heavy rain
At first glance, Buffalo, NY might not seem like an area that experiences worrying levels of rain. But it’s common to see a few powerful storms each year that dump several inches of rain in a short amount of time. This can easily cause basements to flood, particularly if the ground is sloped, your gutters aren’t clean, or your downspouts aren’t installed correctly.

Basement water leak leads to a flood
You can have a water leak in your basement from a wide variety of sources. The basement floor, windows, or walls could leak due to cracks, wear and tear, or lost waterproofing. But a more common issue is water heaters, toilets, or appliances like washers leaking. 

It’s important to remember that even small leaks that start as a puddle can get out of control and lead to total flooding so calling for emergency services when you first notice a problem is the best step you can take. 

My basement flooded—now what?

If you get to the point where your basement actually does flood, there’s no need to panic. You should simply call a professional for help instead. Why is it advised to call someone instead of trying to handle the issue on your own?

First, when a basement floods, it can be an extremely dangerous situation. It’s possible that electrical wiring is exposed, dirty/contaminated water can be present, and fires can potentially start if the right conditions are present. While all of these problems only happen in extreme circumstances, it’s best to leave the basement flood repair to the experts.

Second, even if the situation isn’t dangerous, it will more than likely be a much bigger cleanup than you were expecting. A professional basement flood cleaning service has access to equipment that you don’t. The tools they have will do a much more efficient job of cleaning your basement than anything you have on hand will. This will help ensure your basement gets cleaned thoroughly and prevent mold from becoming a problem in the future.

There is one thing you can do after calling a professional cleanup company: call your homeowners insurance company. They will be able to give you more information about what they need from you, including possible photos of damage, etc. 

Basement flood prevention tips

Cellino Plumbing & HVAC is here if you ever need help with a flooded basement but we know you’d much rather prevent a flooded basement in the first place than deal with the aftermath of one. Thankfully, we’re equipped to help with that too!

Get regular inspections
The best step you can take is getting a plumbing inspection. This inspection is designed to determine if you have any potential problems with your home’s plumbing so you can get repairs done before they become major problems.

Some of the top benefits include:

• Check for wasted water use to reduce cost of utility bills
  
• Detect potential hazards
  
• Provides peace of mind that your plumbing is working properly
  

You can find more information about this service here.

Invest in routine maintenance
Paying for inexpensive regular maintenance is more affordable than paying for large, unexpected disasters. Keeping up with plumbing maintenance such as drain cleaning helps prevent basement floods and keeps the rest of your home running smoothly too!

Install a sump pump
As mentioned earlier, sump pumps are commonly used in basements to prevent them from flooding, particularly during heavy rains. They work by pumping the water out of your basement and away from your home once the water inside the tank reaches a certain level. Having a sump pump in your home is a wonderful way to prevent flooding and give you peace of mind during even the worst of storms.

Your basement water experts are here to help

Whether you’re in the process of equipping your basement to avoid flooding or dealing with the aftermath of a flood, Cellino Plumbing & HVAC is ready to assist. Our general service area reaches far and wide (Hamburg, NY-Elma, NY-Tonawanda, NY & beyond) and we have many years of experience with basement flood mitigation to help ensure you’re getting the best service possible. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need immediate assistance with your basement!