Quick checklist
- Stay safe first: avoid standing water near outlets, cords, panels, appliances, or extension cords.
- Note the time water appeared and whether rain, snowmelt, or a power outage was happening.
- Check whether the sump pump is running, silent, humming, cycling constantly, or failing to lower the water level.
- Look outside from a safe place and note whether the discharge outlet is clear, frozen, buried, or draining back toward the foundation.
- Take photos of the sump pit, water line, discharge outlet, damaged areas, and any alarm or backup system.
- Write down whether the basement is finished, what materials got wet, and whether stored belongings or mechanical equipment are affected.
- Use the online form or call the quote line with your city, timeline, contact method, and the notes above.
What should you document after basement flooding?
Document the pump behavior, water source, discharge outlet, timeline, and whether power was interrupted. A clear record helps separate pump failure, backup failure, discharge trouble, and broader drainage issues.
When should you call instead of only using a form?
Call when water is actively entering, the pump has failed, the basin is rising, or electrical safety is a concern. The form is useful for details, but urgent water should be treated as time-sensitive.
Why is this checklist useful for quotes?
Providers can respond faster when they know whether the pump ran, whether water came back through the discharge line, whether the basement is finished, and how urgent the situation is.