Michigan Basement ProMichigan

What to do now

Stay safe around water and electrics, limit the damage, document what you see, then request an inspection.

Hose pumping water out of a flooded basement
Photo: Alec Perkins from Hoboken, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
  1. Keep away from standing water near outlets or the electrical panel; shut off power to the area only if it is safe.
  2. Check the sump pump: is it running, is the float free, is the discharge line clear and pointed away from the house?
  3. Move belongings off the floor and away from damp walls.
  4. Make sure downspouts discharge well away from the foundation.
  5. Photograph where water comes in and note whether it follows rain or snowmelt.
  6. Run a dehumidifier once standing water is gone.
  7. Send the request form and contact your insurer if appropriate.