If I have flooding in my basement, who should I call? Do normal plumbers do this type of cleanup?

Question

(like a foot of standing water from a winter storm)

Answer 1

Try renting a sump pump to remove the water.
If it came in through the walls, try chlorinated rubber and Portland cement coating to stop the seepage. If its a pipe leaking, then a plumber.

Answer 2

I agree with the above answers that suggest doing it yourself but if you just don't have the time I'd recommend calling a fire and flood restoration contractor. They are more expensive than doing it yourself or calling a local handyman but they have alot of experience cleaning up and fixing flood problems.

A plumber will be able to get rid of the water but most likely won't be able to give you any solutions to keep it happening in the future. A good restoration contractor should be able to come up with a permanent solution to help keep you from having to deal with a foot of water in your basement again or at least have some ideas to really help with the problem.

Answer 3

Plumbers do not do clean up work from flooding. If you have a leaky pipe they'll fix it and go.

However - you can call a plumber to find out what you can do to prevent this from happening in the future. Most likely they will recommend letting them install an automatic pump of some sort, or a drainage system.

Who knows - maybe you'll end up calling the one plummer who will get the water out for you.

FOR NOW - I recommend you go to your local Building Supply source (lumber yard, plumbing supplies, etc) and purchase an electric submersible pump. Hook your garden hose to it and run it out of the house. It would cost somewhere between $30 to $60.

Answer 4

Right after you call the restoration contractor, call your insurance agent to see if it's possible the cleanup could be covered by your policy. I've done a lot of plumbing, installed sump pumps, regular pumps, fixed leaks and dealt with a few restoration contractors. Sometimes they'll contact the insurance company for you and handle the whole thing. If nothing else, they will give you an estimate of what it will cost if they do it.

Answer 5

Call a local reliable handyman, have a sump pump installed, then have him find the cause of the flooding to have it repaired. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Just use your shop vac, it will take a while but will do the job. Then, put fans in the basement so it will dry faster.

Professional will do about the same thing.

Answer 7

you can call the plumer or if the water is getting to you water call the fire dept.... we don't like pumping out water a hole lot but it might just save your house...

Answer 8

CALL YOUR FIRE DEPT AND ASK THEM TO PUMP IT OUT. THEY HAVE THE EQUIPT TO DO IT FAST. I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD DO IT HERE IF NEED BE.