A sump pump usually fails at the worst moment, in the middle of a heavy storm. Chicago gets plenty of those. The City’s Department of Water Management says intense, localized storms can drop two inches or more of rain an hour on a single neighborhood. On July 2, 2023, the National Weather Service recorded more than 8 inches in parts of Cicero, Berwyn and Chicago’s far west side, and the Weather Service logged reports of flooded basements.
If your pump has stopped and water is rising, here is the order we follow.
Is it safe to go into my flooded basement?
Only after the power is off. The MWRD’s Cook County flood guide is direct about it. Do not enter a flooded basement or room if the power is on.
- Shut off power only from a dry spot. ComEd says to shut off power to the flooded area if you can reach the breaker box without standing in water.
- Call ComEd if you can’t reach it safely. The number is 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661). ComEd can shut off power at the meter, and smart meters can be shut off remotely.
- Have the gas turned off too. Peoples Gas recommends calling both ComEd and Peoples Gas before entering a flooded basement. Its 24-hour gas emergency line is 866-556-6002.
- Leave if you smell gas. Get out right away, don’t operate electric or gas appliances, and call from outside or a neighbor’s home. Call 911 for carbon monoxide or any emergency.
Furnaces, water heaters, dryers and other appliances that sat in water should be checked by a qualified professional before anyone uses them.
Why did my sump pump stop working?
Once the area is safe, it helps to know what failed. These are the common causes named by insurers and FEMA.
| What happened | What you might notice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Power went out | Pump silent during a storm | State Farm, Travelers |
| Float stuck or blocked | Pit full, pump never kicks on | American Family |
| Debris clogging the pump or inlet screen | Dirt, mud or rocks in the pit or on the screen | American Family, FEMA |
| Discharge line blocked or frozen | Pump runs but nothing comes out outside | American Family |
| Motor trouble | Greasy film or an oil slick on the water | American Family |
| Pump can’t keep up | Pump runs and water still rises | State Farm |
| Pump worn out | Over 10 years old, rust, cycles on and off | FEMA, American Family |
What should I do in the first few hours?
- Find where the water is coming from. The MWRD explains that seepage usually shows up as clear water through cracks in walls and floors, while sewer backups come up through floor drains and plumbing fixtures. A failed sump pump, a plumbing leak or overland flooding from heavy rain are other sources.
- Report flooding to your municipality. Chicago residents can call 311 or use the CHI311 app. Suburban Cook County residents should call their local public works department. MWRD says it is important that your municipality knows when and where flooding happens.
- Call a licensed plumber. Travelers says to contact a licensed professional promptly if your sump pump isn’t working properly.
- Photograph and video everything before you clean up. The MWRD guide recommends documenting damage to help with insurance claims.
- Call your insurance company and ask whether you have water backup coverage.
- Use a generator only outdoors. CDC warns never to run a generator inside a home, basement or garage, to keep it at least 20 feet from any door, window or vent, and to use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector.
Water from a backed-up floor drain deserves extra care. MWRD notes that the Chicago area uses combined sewers, where sewage and stormwater share the same pipes. Its flood guide says to assume all floodwater is contaminated, especially from a sewer backup. If that is what you have, our sewer backup cleanup page explains what we do differently.
How fast do I need to dry the basement?
Fast. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and MWRD warns that mold can begin to grow in that same window.
For your own safety during cleanup, the MWRD guide recommends rubber boots, gloves, goggles and an N95 mask. It also says to remove standing water, scrub hard surfaces with soap and clean water before disinfecting, dry the area completely with fans or dehumidifiers, and throw out anything that can’t be washed or disinfected.
CDC adds two cautions. Run pumps and shop vacs only after an electrician confirms the power is safe. And have the HVAC system cleaned by a professional before turning it on if the home has been flooded and closed up for several days.
Soaked carpet, drywall and finished walls are hard to dry from the surface. That is the core of our flooded basement cleanup work.
Will insurance pay for a sump pump failure?
Check before you assume. Triple-I says sewer backups are not covered under a typical homeowners policy or by flood insurance, but backup coverage can be bought as an endorsement, usually at a nominal cost. American Family describes its water backup and sump pump endorsement as covering overflow from a broken or unpowered sump pump. Travelers notes this kind of coverage has a dollar limit and does not cover flood or surface water.
The MWRD guide suggests asking your agent about two things, overland flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and a sewer and drain backup rider. Our insurance claims page covers what to document.
How do I keep this from happening again?
- Test it. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump starts (FEMA).
- Inspect it at least once a year, and check it again before heavy rain is forecast (Travelers).
- Clean the inlet screen with a wire brush, after turning off the breaker and unplugging the pump (FEMA).
- Add a backup. Battery and water-powered backups can run when the power fails or the main pump can’t keep up, and an alarm can alert you when water in the pit climbs too high (State Farm).
- Check the discharge. It should send water away from your foundation, never into a sewer or septic system (Travelers).
- Disconnect downspouts where you can. MWRD says an 800-square-foot roof can send about 500 gallons to your sewer line in a one-inch storm.
- Ask a plumber about a check valve or overhead sewer. MWRD recommends these to protect against backups, and reminds owners that the sewer line from the house to the street is the owner’s to maintain.
When to call a restoration company
Call us when water has soaked flooring, drywall or stored belongings, or when it came up through a floor drain. A person answers 24/7. We ask what happened, whether the power and gas in the basement are off, and where the water came from. Then we send a crew to pump out water and start drying. We photograph and record the damage, moisture readings and work as we go, so your insurance company has a clear file.
If anyone is hurt, you smell gas or there is any emergency, call 911 first. When everyone is safe, contact us.