STEP 1: Shut Off Any Failed Plumbing

While most flooded basements are caused by heavy rains and groundwater flooding, others are caused by home plumbing failures. If a pipe, washer hose, water heater, or other pressurized water source fails in your home, it can release hundreds of gallons of water into your basement every hour. In fact, we’ve seen water rise so high in a basement that it’s coming out of the windows!

In situations where there is a plumbing failure, the first step to solving the problem should be to turn off any failed plumbing. Be very careful to stay high and dry as you do this, as the water could be electrified or contain viruses and bacteria.