Sump Pump Failure

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

Undetected water that sits can create microbial growth and require carpet replacement.

We see many flooded basements due to sump pump issues, so if you have sump pumps, then listen up.  First things first...check with your insurance agent to review your coverages!  It is very frustrating for owners to find out they did not have any coverage or insufficient coverage.  How do you know if you need sump pump coverage or not?  Look at what you have in the basement.  If you have an unfinished basement and just concrete floors, without any contents (or very few and not valuable), then you probably won't suffer much of a loss other than the cleanup effort from someone like us at SERVPRO of South Columbus, who specializes in cleaning up floods and backups in homes and businesses. If you have a finished basement and contents that you would want to be replaced if ruined, then the cost of replacing and repairing everything grows very quickly, and insurance can be a good way to protect your investment ( in your contents, and structure--walls, etc).  Columbus has many basements with sump pumps, and therefore we see many flooded ones.  Take time today to reach out to your insurance agent for a coverage review--you may be surprised how underinsured you are, not only for your home or business, but also your vehicles, health, and life. No we are not insurance guru's, but we see their clients--YOU, and they are either very upset with the situation because of no coverage or under insured, or just a little frustrated with the situation, but feel better about it when they know it is a covered loss!  Another precaution is to make sure you are paying attention to the weather and when we get a bunch of rain, then make sure you go downstairs to catch a problem as early as possible.  Many times, property owners do not realize they have a water loss until they start to smell something and go downstairs to see.  The longer the water sits, the more damage and throw aways you can expect...including your carpet, pad, and drywall that was affected.  Be proactive is the real message here.