How heavy storms can lead to a power outage and sump pump flood damage

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield explains the connection between storm damage and sump pump flooding.

A heavy and wild storm can bring down power lines, blow debris into overhead power lines, flood equipment used to generate electricity, damage insulation, and other things that result in power outages and disruptions.

While several concerns come with a power outage, one that’s often overlooked is the risk of water damage. A working sump pump is the only chance you have to prevent major water damage when your property is being battered by torrential downpours.

But what if the system breaks down due to a power outage or other factors? In such a situation, the increasing water will damage your home's foundation, and crawlspace, and cause mold to develop in hidden nooks and dark corners.

SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield is a top flood restoration services company in Montwood, El Paso, TX. They’ve outlined a few important things to know about sump pump water damage caused by a storm.

Sump pump failure

Several factors can cause your sump pump to fail, and these two common causes are related to excessive storms.

1. Power Outage: 

When severe weather storms and power outages combine, the outcome is frequently flooded basements across the country. This is because large rain storms produce surplus water, and a power outage renders your sump pump incapable of draining water.

Fortunately, this issue can be prevented by simply getting a backup generator to power your sump pump. This generator can be manually turned on if you ever lose power during a severe storm to prevent flooding in your basement.

2. Pump Overload: 

If your sump pump is too little or lacks the necessary horsepower, it could easily be damaged by a flood of water. The pump can malfunction if it has to work extra hard to remove all the additional water that is attempting to seep in from the outside.

Following a sump pump failure, water will start to seep through the basement and foundation walls or any cement cracks. If more water can enter, it will gradually rise from the lowest points on the basement floor where it is already pooling.

What happens without a functioning sump pump?

The sump pump is located in or immediately below the basement and is used to collect extra water, such as storm rain. After that, the sump pump removes the water from your home, usually on a slope so it won't flow back in.

If the sump pump fails during a storm, the lowest point in your home will experience an accumulation of surplus water. It could be the basement, crawlspace, or foundation at that time. The water will start to bend wood, create rot, and encourage the formation of mold wherever it chooses to settle.

What should you do if your sump pump fails?

Sump pumps often malfunction during heavy storms. It’s essential to act immediately when this happens. 

Here’s what you can do about it:

• Extract the water: You should try to get rid of the majority of the standing water as soon as you can. Use a water pump or a wet vacuum, either one should work.
• Dry your property: Once you’ve gotten rid of the standing water, the next step is to dry and clean everything to restore them to its pre-damaged state.

Get professional sump pump flood restoration services in Montwood, El Paso, TX.

Even with all of your effort, you may not be able to eliminate the standing water or clean your home properly to prevent mold. This is where SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield can help. They have a flood damage restoration services team of trained and licensed technicians that can quickly come to your home to handle any issues of water damage. They’ll remove standing water, clean and dry everywhere, and advise on the best way to prevent a recurrence.

SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield has the tools to identify and remove any hidden water to prevent mold. They can also inspect and remove any mold found if necessary.

Are you ready to get started? Contact SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield at (915) 234-2679 for a free consultation.