Be Careful When Pumping Out Flooded Basement
Structural damage could result
Release Date: June 13, 2004
Release Number: 1520-021
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Emergency management officials are urging Indiana residents with basements flooded by the recent storms to use caution when pumping them out. Removing all of the water at once may cause serious structural damage to the house.
Draining the water too fast could cause the collapse of the cellar walls, floors, and foundation of the house. The water must be drained slowly to equalize pressure on both sides of the wall. Although the flood has receded, water still in the ground outside your house may be pushing hard against the outside of your basement walls. The water in your basement is pushing back. If you drain your basement faster than the water in the ground is draining, the outside pressure will be greater than the inside pressure and may cause the foundation, basement walls or floor to crack or rupture.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recommend the following procedures be followed when pumping a basement to avoid serious damage, collapse, or injury:
- Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside.
- Pump out one foot of water. Mark the water level and wait overnight.
- Check the water level the next day. If the level went back up (covered your mark) it is still too early to drain your basement.
- Wait 24 hours and then pump the water down one foot again. Check the level the next day.
- When the water in the basement stops returning to your mark, pump out two to three feet and wait overnight.
- Repeat daily until all the water is out of the basement.
"We understand people are anxious to return home and begin the clean-up," said Justo "Tito" Hernandez, FEMA federal coordinating officer, "but we urge caution because the expense of rebuilding collapsed walls could be more than the cost of clean-up from the flood."
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 14-Jun-2004 10:39:15