Stars and Bars RestorationA sump pump does one job, and it does it quietly until the day it does not. In Pueblo, Cañon City and the neighborhoods along the Arkansas River, a high water table plus a hard rain or fast snowmelt can send water into a basement in a hurry. When the pump dies, or the power goes out during the same storm, you find out fast.
We are a small, veteran-owned crew based in Colorado City, and we see this call every year. Here is what we would tell a neighbor.
Signs your sump pump is on its way out
- It runs constantly, or never runs even when the pit is full.
- You hear grinding, rattling or a humming motor that will not move water.
- The pump is more than about ten years old.
- The float switch sticks, because of debris or because it is wedged against the pit wall.
- Water stands in the pit and does not drop.
Test it each spring and fall by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. The float should lift, the pump should kick on, and the water should leave within seconds.
What to do in the first hour
- Stay out of standing water if the power is on. Shut off the breaker for the basement if you can reach the panel safely and dry. If you cannot, call your electric utility or an electrician.
- Stop the source if you can. Check that the discharge line is not frozen, kinked or disconnected, and that the check valve is working.
- Move what you can. Get furniture, boxes and electronics up off the floor. Pull up area rugs.
- Bail or use a wet vac or a rented trash pump to get standing water out. Take photos before and after for your insurance claim.
- Run fans and a dehumidifier once the water is gone. Mold can start in 24 to 48 hours.
What gets ruined, and what can be saved
Water that came up from the ground is considered contaminated (often called Category 2 or 3 in the IICRC standards) because it carries soil, bacteria and sometimes sewage. That changes the rules. Carpet padding and wet drywall usually have to come out. Hard surfaces and framing can often be cleaned and dried. See our guide on what to do when a basement floods if there is any chance sewer water is involved.
Insurance: read this before you file
Standard homeowners policies often cover sudden pump failure only if you have a water backup endorsement, and they commonly exclude groundwater seepage. Check yours before you assume. Our Colorado water damage insurance guide walks through the questions to ask your agent.
Preventing the next one
- Install a battery backup pump. A power outage during a storm is the most common reason a good pump fails.
- Keep gutters clean and downspouts discharging several feet from the foundation.
- Make sure the discharge line drains away from the house and will not freeze in winter. Frozen lines are a real problem here from November through March.
- Replace the pump every eight to ten years rather than waiting for it to fail.
How we help
Our IICRC-certified technicians extract water, set drying equipment, monitor moisture until the structure is actually dry, and handle the mold risk. We serve Pueblo and Cañon City and the surrounding towns. Learn more about our water damage restoration service.
If your basement is wet right now, call us any time, day or night, at (719) 676-2456. We will tell you honestly whether it is a job for us or something you can handle yourself.