Flooded Basement in Toledo: What to Do in the First Hour

Is it safe to go down there?

Not if the water reaches outlets, power strips, extension cords, the furnace, the water heater or the electrical panel. Electricity can travel through water and wet floors. Stay on the stairs and look first.

• Switch off power to the basement only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water or standing on a wet floor. If you cannot, call your electric utility (Toledo Edison serves most of the area) and ask them to shut power off at the meter.
• Smell gas? The CDC's advice: turn off the main gas valve if you can, open windows, and leave the house. Call the gas company from outside.
• Do not run a gas-powered pump, generator or pressure washer inside the house, basement or garage, or within 20 feet of doors, windows or vents. Carbon monoxide from these engines can kill.
• Do not touch electrical equipment that has been under water, even after the water drains. Have an electrician check it before it is turned back on.

What should I do in the first hour?

Work through this list in order. Skip anything that is not safe.

1. Call (419) 515-4608 and press 1. We connect you with a local water cleanup company. Ask them how soon they can come out and what they need from you.
2. Stop the water if you can. If a pipe or water heater burst, shut the main water valve. If the sump pump has stopped, check whether it is unplugged, tripped or stuck; do not reach into the pit while it is plugged in.
3. Figure out where the water came from. Rising from the floor drain usually means a sewer backup. Seeping along the bottom of the walls means groundwater. Running down from above means plumbing. This matters for safety, cleanup and insurance.
4. Photograph and video everything before you move or throw anything out: the water line on the walls, the drain, damaged items, the furnace and water heater, and any model and serial numbers.
5. Lift what you can out of the water and get boxes, rugs, electronics and paper upstairs.
6. Call your insurance company to start a claim and ask what they need. Write down the claim number and who you talked to.
7. Start air moving if power is safe. The CDC suggests fans and dehumidifiers, and opening windows and doors when the weather allows.

How fast does a flooded basement need to be dried?

Within a day or two. The U.S. EPA says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Toledo basements are often cool and damp to begin with, and clay soil keeps the walls wet after the water is gone, so getting the water out quickly and the humidity down matters.

A shop vacuum can handle a small puddle. A basement with inches of water, soaked carpet, or wet drywall usually needs pumps, commercial dehumidifiers and air movers, plus moisture readings to show when the walls and floor are actually dry. That is what a water cleanup company brings.

Is the water clean or contaminated?

The water damage industry's standard, IICRC S500, sorts water into three categories, and it decides how the cleanup is done:

In Toledo, a floor drain backup during a heavy storm is a common source, especially in the older combined-sewer neighborhoods. The EPA advises calling in professionals who have experience with contaminated water when damage was caused by sewage. See our sewer backup page for what to do about it afterward.

What should I throw away?

For items soaked by floodwater or sewage, the CDC lists things that usually cannot be cleaned and should be thrown out: mattresses, carpeting and carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, pillows, foam-rubber items, stuffed animals, baby toys, cosmetics, books, wall coverings and paper products. It also says to remove and throw away drywall and insulation that was contaminated with sewage or floodwater, and any food that touched flood water.

Before you throw anything out, photograph it and write it down for your insurance company. Ask your adjuster whether they want to see items before they go to the curb.

How should I clean what is left?

If you are cleaning yourself after a small clean-water leak:

• Wear rubber boots, gloves and eye protection. For moldy areas, the CDC adds goggles and an N-95 respirator.
• Wash hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry them completely.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. The fumes can be dangerous.
• Keep fans and a dehumidifier running until everything is dry, not just dry to the touch.

For sewage or deep water, let the cleanup company do it. They have the gear, and the documentation they produce helps with an insurance claim.

What does a water cleanup company actually do?

Typically, they:

1. Pump out standing water and extract water from carpets and floors.
2. Check the type of water and set up containment if it is contaminated.
3. Remove materials that cannot be saved, such as soaked drywall at the bottom of walls, carpet pad and insulation.
4. Clean and treat affected surfaces.
5. Set up dehumidifiers and air movers, and take moisture readings until the materials reach a dry standard.
6. Document the job with photos and readings for your insurer.

Ask the company to explain each step, what it will cost, and how they decide it is dry. Many follow the IICRC S500 standard; it is fair to ask whether they do.

Will my insurance cover a flooded basement?

It depends on where the water came from and what is in your policy. As a general guide:

• Burst pipes and other sudden water from inside the house are often covered by a standard homeowners policy.
• Sewer or drain backup is not covered by a standard homeowners policy or by flood insurance. It is usually a separate add-on, called an endorsement or rider.
• Flooding from outside, such as rising river or lake water, needs flood insurance. Flood insurance coverage in basements is limited.
• Slow seepage through walls is commonly excluded.

Call your agent and ask directly. Our guide goes deeper.

Why did my basement flood, and how do I stop it next time?

Once the water is gone, find out why it came in. In Toledo the usual causes are:

• Groundwater pushed in by saturated lake clay around the foundation. The usual long-term fix is interior drain tile and a sump pump.
• A sump pump that failed or lost power during the storm. See sump pumps and battery backups.
• A sewer backup through the floor drain. See sewer backup, and check whether you qualify for the city's Basement Flooding Grant.
• A leaking crack in the wall. See foundation cracks.

When you call (419) 515-4608, press 2 for a local waterproofing or foundation company to look at the long-term fix after the cleanup is done.