Basement Flooding? What to Do Right Now (Cleveland Emergency Guide)
Serving Cleveland's west side & west suburbs · 24/7 emergency drain service · Call (216) 203-6563
Basement Flooding? What to Do Right Now (Cleveland Emergency Guide)
Water in your basement? A step-by-step emergency guide: stay safe, stop the water, find the source and know when to call a 24/7 Cleveland plumber.
Stay out of water near electricity, shut off the main water valve if a pipe burst, stop using water if the floor drain is backing up, then call a plumber. Document the damage with photos before cleanup and start drying out as soon as it's safe.
Water in the basement is an emergency, but a calm first 15 minutes makes a big difference. Here's what to do.
1. Stay safe
- Don't walk into standing water if outlets, cords or appliances may be in it. Water and electricity don't mix.
- If you can reach the electrical panel safely from a dry area, shut off power to the basement. If not, call the electric company.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company from outside.
- Sewage water carries bacteria — wear boots and gloves.
2. Find the source
Clean water from a burst pipe or appliance
Shut off the main water valve right away. It's usually where the water line enters the basement, near the meter. Every adult in the house should know where it is.
Water from the water heater
Turn off the heater and close the cold supply valve at the top. See what to do when a water heater leaks.
Water coming up through the floor drain
This is a sewer backup. Stop using all water in the house — no flushing, showers, laundry or dishes. Every gallon you use ends up in the basement.
Water through walls or the floor during rain
That's groundwater or surface water, often a grading, gutter or sump pump issue.
3. Call for help
Call us at (216) 203-6563. We handle emergency plumbing on Cleveland's west side — burst pipes, water heater failures and main line backups. For sewer backups, we clear the line so water can drain, and can camera the line to find the cause.
4. Document everything
Take photos and video of the water, damage and source before cleanup. Your insurance company will want them.
5. Start drying out
- Remove standing water with a wet vac or pump once it's safe.
- Move wet items out and get air moving with fans and a dehumidifier.
- Clean surfaces touched by sewage with a disinfectant.
- For large or sewage-related floods, a water restoration company can dry and sanitize properly.
6. Prevent the next one
Once things are dry, fix the cause. A sewer backup usually means a restricted line — roots, scale or a belly. Read how to prevent sewer backups.
What not to do
- Don't run pumps or wet vacs near outlets until the power is off and the area is safe.
- Don't keep using water if the floor drain is backing up.
- Don't use chemical drain cleaners on a backed-up main line. They won't clear it and can make cleanup dangerous.
- Don't wait to call your insurance company if damage is significant.
- Don't ignore it once it's dry. A backup that happened once will happen again until the cause is fixed.
When to call a plumber
Call ExpertPipe Rooter at (216) 203-6563 if:
- Water is coming up through the floor drain
- A pipe has burst or the water heater is leaking
- You can't find or stop the source
- Sewage is involved
We serve Cleveland's west side and western suburbs, including Lakewood, Parma, Westlake, Rocky River and North Olmsted.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call first when my basement floods?
If water is coming from your plumbing or sewer, call a plumber to stop the source. For large or sewage floods, a water restoration company can dry and sanitize afterward.
Where is my main water shut-off?
In most west side homes it's in the basement where the water line enters, usually near the water meter on the front wall.
Is sewage backup water dangerous?
Yes. It carries bacteria. Wear boots and gloves, keep kids and pets away and disinfect everything it touched.
Keep reading
Related guides
How to Prevent Sewer Backups and Basement Flooding in Cleveland
Keep your sewer lateral clean, know its condition with a camera inspection, consider a backwater valve, keep downspouts out of the sewer, test the sump pump and limit water use during heavy storms.
Read the guide →Water Heater Leaking? What It Means and What to Do Right Now
Turn off the heater's power or gas, close the cold supply valve and move belongings.
Read the guide →Why Your Basement Floor Drain Keeps Backing Up (Cleveland Homes)
A basement floor drain backs up when the main sewer line is restricted — usually by tree roots, cast iron scale, grease or a sag in the pipe.
Read the guide →Talk to a local plumber
5-star rated on Google, Yelp and Thumbtack with 200+ five-star reviews. Same-day service across the west side.
