Flooded basement

First, find where the water is coming from

• Seepage: usually clear water through cracks in basement walls and floors, or along the joint where the floor meets the wall.
• Sewer backup: water rising from floor drains, basement toilets or laundry tubs. Treat it as contaminated. See sewer backup.
• Sump failure: the pit is overflowing or the pump is silent. See sump pump failure.
• Overland water: coming in through window wells or doors. Clogged window-well drains are a common culprit.

This is the same sorting the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recommends, and it matters for insurance: different sources fall under different coverages.

Before help arrives

• Don't wade into water that could reach outlets, extension cords, the furnace or the electrical panel.
• Photograph and video the water level, the source and damaged items.
• Move dry valuables upstairs. Leave soaked items in place until they're photographed.
• Report sewer backups and street flooding to your municipality. They own the local sewers and use the reports to plan fixes. Town contacts.

Preventing the next one

Public works departments across the area give very similar advice:

• Add a battery backup to your sump pump and test it.
• Keep window-well drains clear; consider window-well covers.
• Extend downspouts away from the foundation and regrade soil that slopes toward the house.
• Have sewer lines rodded or camera-inspected regularly to catch roots and cracks.
• For repeat sewer backups, ask about an overhead sewer or backflow device. Several villages share the cost.

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