Spring Flooding in Madison: Homeowner Prep Checklist

Outdoor

• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Extend downspouts at least 6-10 feet from foundation
• Confirm soil grades away from the house
• Reseat or replace any displaced window-well covers
• Clear storm drains near the property

Basement

• Test the sump pump (pour a bucket - verify it cycles)
• Confirm the discharge pipe isn't frozen or blocked
• Add or replace a battery backup pump
• Move stored items off the floor onto pallets or shelves
• Inspect for foundation cracks; seal as needed

Insurance

• Confirm you have a sewer/water backup endorsement
• Photo-document your basement contents now (before any loss)
• Save your insurance carrier's claims phone number in your phone

Why frozen discharge lines fail homes every spring

Sump discharge lines that exit through a basement wall and emerge above ground often freeze solid in February and stay frozen until late March. When the first warm-rain event hits and snow melts rapidly, the pump runs but water has nowhere to go - the pump short-cycles, then burns out. Walk your discharge line in late winter; if it's buried in snow or surrounded by ice, dig it out before the first thaw event.

Photo-documenting before the season

Spend 15 minutes walking your basement with your phone. Photograph every wall, every stored item, the inside of storage bins, and the contents of any finished space. If you do experience a loss, this baseline documentation makes personal property valuation straightforward - and prevents the painful 'I don't remember exactly what was in that bin' conversation with the adjuster.