A short checklist can save a house before a storm and make the first hour after a river rise easier to manage. It covers the shut-offs, the panel, the lowest floor, the sump, the photographs and the call to make. Print it, keep a copy with the house papers and check it once a year.
Key takeaways
- Know where every shut-off and the panel are before a storm
- Measure and record the lowest floor and key equipment now
- Test the sump and check its discharge before the rainy season
- Photograph the house as it is, so the change can be shown later
- Call the 24/7 line early if water is still rising
Before the season starts
Find the shut-offs, test the pump and measure the lowest floor.
The best time to prepare is before the storm. Find the main water shut-off, the shut-offs for each appliance and the electrical panel. Test the sump pump by pouring water into the pit, and check that the discharge line runs away from the house.
Measure the lowest finished floor above the ground outside and note the height of the water heater, the furnace and the panel. Keep the measurements with the house papers.
- Find and label the main water shut-off
- Find the electrical panel and the breakers for the lower level
- Test the sump pump and its float switch
- Check that the discharge line runs away from the house
- Measure the lowest floor and key equipment and record it
When a storm is coming
Clear the drains, move valuables and photograph the house before the rain.
When a storm is forecast, clear the drains and gutters near the house, and check the window wells and the door sills for debris. Move valuables and papers from the lowest rooms to a higher place. Keep the car off low ground near the river.
Photograph each room and the lowest door, with the date. A photograph taken before the water arrives is the baseline for the claim.
| When | Task | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two days before | Clear drains and gutters | Keeps water moving away |
| One day before | Move valuables and papers up | Keeps them out of the water |
| Hours before | Photograph the house and the lowest door | Creates the baseline record |
| During | Watch the water level and the sump | Shows when to call |
During a river rise
Keep people out of the water, switch off power to wet rooms and call early.
During a river rise, keep people out of standing water near power. If the water reaches the panel, leave the panel alone and say so when you call. Do not drive through moving or standing water.
Call the 24/7 line when the water is still rising or has reached a room with power. The dispatcher will say what to do while you wait.
After the water goes down
Photograph the water line, record the times and call before you clean.
When the water goes down, photograph the water line on each wall with a time. Note the time the water was first seen and the time it went down. Do not start cleaning until the crew has taken the first readings, unless the house is unsafe.
Keep a note of every room affected and every item moved. That note is the start of the file.
- Photograph the water line with the time on each wall
- Note when the water was first seen and when it went down
- Do not clean silt before the first readings
- Keep a list of every item moved and where it is
- Call the line and give the address and the ZIP code
A checklist for the sump and the drains
The sump and the drains are the most common source of a basement loss in a wet season.
A sump that stops in a heavy rain lets water back in through the floor. Check the pump, the float switch, the discharge line and the check valve each season. Make sure the discharge is not blocked by leaves or frozen in winter.
Floor drains can back up when the sewer is full. Pour a bucket of water into each drain to see if it runs away, and keep the drain clear of debris.
- Pour water into the pit to test the pump and the float
- Check the discharge line for blockage or ice
- Pour a bucket into each floor drain to test it
- Clear debris from the drain covers
- Keep a spare battery or a backup power plan for the pump if you have one
A yearly review
Review the checklist once a year and after any loss.
Review the checklist every year, and again after any loss. A house changes: new equipment, new finishes and new storage in the lower level all change what can be lost and how it can be reached.
Update the measurements and the photographs when anything changes. The record is only useful if it is current.
Before the rainy months: the lower level
The lower level is checked for openings, drains and anything stored on the floor.
The lower level is where a storm or a river rise does the most damage, so it is the first place to check each season. Look for openings in the foundation, such as vents and window wells, and check that their covers and drains are clear. Look for anything stored directly on the floor, and move it to shelves where that is possible.
Check the doors that lead to the outside. A door sill that is low, or a gap under a door, lets water in quickly. A simple strip or sill can help, and a builder can advise on it.
- Check vents and window wells for debris and covers
- Clear floor drains and their covers
- Move stored items off the floor onto shelves
- Check door sills and gaps under outside doors
- Ask a builder about raising a low sill
Records to make and keep
A short file of measurements, photographs and contacts is the most useful thing to prepare.
A file that is ready before a storm saves time after it. Keep the measurements of the lowest floor and the key equipment with the house papers. Keep recent photographs of each room, with the date. Keep the number of the 24/7 line, the insurer's claim line and the name of your insurer's agent in the same place.
Review the file each year. A change in the house, such as new storage, a new appliance or a finished room, changes what would be lost.
- Measurements of the lowest floor and key equipment
- Recent photographs of each room with the date
- The 24/7 line number and the insurer's claim line
- The insurer's agent's name and contact details
- A yearly review of the file
After a loss: the first week in order
The first week is about the readings, the photographs and the insurer, in that order.
Once the house is safe and the crew has been, the first week is about records. Day one is the crew's readings and the scope. Day two is the insurer's first contact, with the scope and the photographs. Days three to seven are the drying checks and the trade work list.
A homeowner who follows that order has a file that makes sense to anyone reading it. The order also keeps the insurer and the crew working from the same facts.
- Day one: readings, scope and the first photographs
- Day two: the insurer is told, with the scope sent
- Days three to seven: drying checks and their records
- Day seven: trade list and the schedule for repairs
- Ongoing: the file kept in one dated place
Choosing what to protect first
Protect the items that are costly, hard to replace or needed for the house to function.
A homeowner cannot protect everything before a storm. Choose the items to move first: the papers and records, the electronics, the items with sentimental value and the equipment the house needs to run. Those items are moved to a higher floor or a dry room before the water arrives.
Keep a short list of what was moved and where it was placed. That list is useful after the storm, when the house is in disorder and the memory is tired.
- Papers, records and important documents
- Electronics and small appliances
- Items with sentimental value
- Equipment the house needs to run
- A short list of what was moved and where
Outside the house before a storm
Clear the outside drainage and check the ground around the foundation.
Water that runs toward the house is the first thing to stop. Clear gutters and downspouts, make sure the downspouts discharge away from the foundation, and check that the ground slopes away from the house. A low spot against the wall collects water and sends it toward the lowest door.
Check the driveway and the garage door as well. A garage door that lets water in is often overlooked, and a gap at its base can send water into the house quickly.
- Clear gutters and check the downspouts
- Make sure downspouts discharge away from the foundation
- Check the ground slopes away from the house
- Fill any low spot against the wall
- Check the garage door seal and base
Frequently asked questions
How often should I test the sump?
Test it before the rainy season and again after any power cut. A simple pour test shows whether the pump and the float work.
Should I turn off the power when the water is near the panel?
Only if it is safe to do so. If the panel is wet, leave it alone and say so when you call.
What should I photograph before a storm?
Each room and the lowest door, with the date. The photographs are the baseline for any claim.
Can I drive through the water to leave?
No. Water can hide the road edge and the depth.
Who do I call first?
The 24/7 line. A crew is sent as soon as one is free, and the first steps are given on the phone.
What if the water comes back after the first clean-up?
Call the line. A returning water line can mean a hidden source or a wet area that was not found.
Does this checklist replace the insurer's advice?
No. It helps keep a clear record. Ask the insurer in writing what its policy requires.
Sources
This guide is general information for Hamilton County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.