Rainy Weather Means More Basement Flooding
By Jennifer Mayerle, WCCO-TV
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Homeowners who dealt with flooded basements from last week's wet weather may be in for it again.
Carpet had to come up and furniture moved in homes across the state. The anticipated soaking can cause more problems for homeowners still trying to dry out.
This is how it all started for Plymouth homeowner Jennifer Lundquist.
"Walked down here and squish, squish, squish," Lundquist said.
Right then, she knew the downpour had gotten the best of her basement.
"We had water in the basement that went into the sump basket, and we don't have a sump pump so it caused it to rise and flood our basement," she said.
The water moved out of the laundry room and into the full basement. The carpet needed to be pulled up to allow the foundation to air out.
The Lundquists thought they may have time to make a decision on a more permanent solution to the basement flooding, but the threat of more rain and possible severe weather has them making quick repairs.
"We have a sump pump in place that my father-in-law had hanging around the house," she said. "Hooked together a garden hose into the laundry drain, so right know that's our kind of band aid."
Lundquist says she's learned her lesson and will get a permanent sump pump. She recommends getting one with a battery, or get a generator so if the power goes out, the water still has somewhere to go.
"It's Minnesota," Lundquist said. "The weather's predictable, it's going to rain all the time anyway, so it's like, it is what it is."
It seems like common sense, but experts say one of the best was to protect your home is to make sure your gutters are free of debris. Also, position the downspout away from the foundation.
Another good idea is to cover below-ground windows with window wells.