[Trak Ratt]

The storm tonight over worked our sump pump which of course burned it out. Naturally the basement filled up with water. I’m calling Allstate tomorrow for some help on that. But the problem was exacerbated by the poor drainage from the back of the garage down the full length of that driveway. So what I need is a good storm drain/landscape/driveway contractor to get this mess sorted out. Any first hand recommendations (or Dorki’s in the business??) greatly appreciated. Looks like a pretty big job since I think the original contractor screwed the pouch on the design and implementation.

[HoodPin]

Ouch. Do you know where the water entered the basement? Doorway...window(s)? If this is the first time its happened, would damming the entry point(s) to a higher level work, as opposed to revising the entire landscaping?

[Fairfax 944]

Of course, our resident Allstate insurance guy will know best on what's covered, but my experience is that flood water entering a basement is generally not covered by home-owner's insurance. You may need special flood insurance, but maybe a failed sump pump makes a difference. Scott??

Sorry about the head ache. Flooded basements absolutely suck!

[Rick V]

Sweeeeeeeeeet I smell another ditch at TR's

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Fairfax 944

Of course, our resident Allstate insurance guy will know best on what's covered, but my experience is that flood water entering a basement is generally not covered by home-owner's insurance. You may need special flood insurance, but maybe a failed sump pump makes a difference. Scott??

Sorry about the head ache. Flooded basements absolutely suck!

It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

[HoodPin]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

Sounds like it didn't come in from perimeter leak. Sump pump bought the farm, and the water came in thru the pump's well? If that's the case, not sure how effective french drains around the perimeter would work; that usually resolves leakage thru the wall or gap between floor slab and wall. Water under the house is much harder to control, other than a working sump pump.

[Fairfax 944]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

It happened once before a long time ago. We have french drains and an internal sump pump. Though I was told before flood water wasn't covered, the failure of an existing internal sump pump would be. Though not for replacing the pump itself.
Just want to fix the outside drainage once and for all to keep the water away from the house. When we had the garage built we had the lot re-graded and that "fixed" most all our problems. The storm last night had lots of heave rain over here and I guess the pump just couldn't handle it. Never lost the electric or even had it blink.

You may want to consider running 2 sump pumps. My mom is in a fairly low area, and has 5 sump pumps in one big sump. There have been a couple of times that the sump nearly overflowed, even with those 5 pumps. She does have a standy-by generator in case the electricity goes out. Before the generaor, she once had the power go out during a heavy rain storm, and she had a big swimming pool in her basement.

[dweymer]

But the important question is: are the guns ok??

Sux DR hope you get it cleaned up soon.

[Trak Ratt]

Thanks, all very good tips but what I really need is someone to reengineer my under driveway storm drains and then repair the drive!
We already have French drains around the perimeter, battery backup, extra sump pump and a dehumidifier for the basement et., etc.. That’s why the damage is actually very little. But in the summer heat growing a nice crop of mold and mildew are our main concerns.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

But in the summer heat growing a nice crop of mold and mildew are our main concerns.

Bug sprayer with a 50/50 mix of bleach and water on any surfaces that can tolerate it. Spray on wipe off. Kills mold dead.

I am with you on the drain issue. Despite my arguments, the drains put in for my garage are not large enough in diameter. I was just too tired and broke to keep up the fight.