Your sump pump fails during the worst storm of the season - a scenario almost every Madison homeowner with a basement will face at least once. The next 60 minutes determine how bad the damage gets. This guide is the short version: do these things in this order.
1. Confirm power and float
Check the breaker, GFCI outlet, and that nothing is jammed against the float. The most common 'failures' are nuisance trips and stuck floats.
2. Move what you can
Lift cardboard, electronics, and personal items off the floor. Even a few inches up can save them from incoming water.
3. Manually pump or shop-vac
A wet/dry vac can buy you time. Empty the sump pit and any standing water on the floor.
4. Call for backup
If water is rising faster than you can manage, call us. Truck-mounted extraction pulls hundreds of gallons per minute. We can also coordinate emergency plumbing for backup-pump installation.
What backup options actually look like
Battery backup pumps are the most common upgrade - they cost $300-$700 installed, run for several hours during a power outage, and require battery replacement every 3-5 years. Water-powered backups use city water pressure to pump and have no battery to fail, but they consume two gallons of city water per gallon pumped. A primary plus battery backup is the typical sweet spot for Madison-area basements.
What restoration looks like if water won
Truck-mounted extraction can pull hundreds of gallons per minute - orders of magnitude faster than a wet/dry vac. After extraction, commercial dehumidifiers and air movers run for 3-5 days while we monitor moisture daily. Carpet pad and wet drywall below the high-water line typically come out; the rest dries in place.
Need professional help with this in Madison or Dane County? Our IICRC-certified crews respond 24/7.
Call (608) 218-5869