How to prevent basement flooding and protect possessions from disaster

A flooded basement can be a nightmare for homeowners. Everything in your basement – your TV center, carpeted man cave, boxes of documents and collections of old family photos – can be lost in one heavy rain storm.

Fortunately, you can avoid disaster by taking a proactive approach. Here is what you need to do to prevent basement flooding and keep your possessions dry.

Clean your floor drains

When not properly maintained, floor drains can become clogged with dirt and other debris. They’ll fail when you need them the most. Obstructed pipes can lead to buildup that can cause flooding because there is no other place for the water to go but all over your basement floor.

If you haven’t inspected and cleaned your floor drains in a while, call Plumbers 911. One of our contractors can clean your drains and prevent a basement flooding disaster. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Test your sump pump

Functional sump pumps provide a lifeline against basement flooding. Hopefully, you already have one, but does it work properly? You should replace a sump pump every six years. A professional plumber should also test it every six months to ensure it works when you need it.

Call Plumbers 911 to be connected to a trusted contractor to test your sump pump, ideally in the spring and the fall, ahead of the rainy season.

If you don’t own a sump pump, it may be time to install one. The device will be located in your basement with a sump pit to hold water. The sump pump will kick on when the water rises due to heavy rain or snow to remove the water and prevent your basement from flooding.

The contractors at Plumbers 911 can help install a sump pump.

Have battery backup installed on your sump pump

What if the power goes out, as is common during heavy rainstorms? If you don’t have battery backup installed on your sump pump, it won’t work and you’ll end up with a flooded basement.

The contractors of Plumbers 911 can install a battery backup on your sump pump so it is always operational, even during a power outage.

Keep a clean septic tank

It’s easy to forget the last time you cleaned the septic tank. But like the oil in your car, regular cleaning of your septic tank is absolutely necessary to prevent disaster. The water from your shower, bathtub, sink, toilet, dishwasher and washing machine ends up in the septic tank. 

If it gets overfilled, a torrential storm flooding your property could push it over the brink. This can result in a flooded basement.

We recommend a professional cleaning of your septic tank every two to five years. If you haven’t cleaned your septic tank in the last year, it’s probably time to call Plumbers 911. One of our contractors can inspect and clean your septic system to ensure it’s in top working order before the next storm. 

Need help preventing your basement from flooding? Call Plumbers 911

If you need help preventing your basement from flooding, call Plumbers 911. One of our contractors can inspect and clean your drains, sump pump or septic system.

If your basement has already flooded, our contractors can remove the water and install fail-safe devices to prevent your basement from flooding in the future.

All our Licensed Plumbers are fully insured, trained professionals. They have undergone extensive background checks and drug testing. Find a local Plumbers 911 plumber in your area today!