Sump pump malfunction

[JGM411]

I have started and deleted this thread several times, as I just could not bring myself to posting.

Two weeks ago (Monday May 13), I walked down into our basement and stepped in water. The previous Thursday (May 9), we had a new sump pump and alarm installed by a licensed plumber. (I was simply too busy at work to mess with it.)

I had quite a few albums on the floor that got wet. My stereo remained dry except the base of the speakers were wet. We moved those upstairs and dried them off and it appears no damage.

The good news is that the flood restoration/carpet cleaning company arrived 30 minutes after I discovered the problem and the plumber arrived 15 minutes later. So from 7 pm until 11 pm we were moving stuff out of the basement and clean up began.

After two and half days with two commercial dehumidifiers, one large heater, and 6 commercial-industrial squirrel caged fans we eliminated the humidity, (no odor), and a lot of "stuff" that we didn't use anymore.

Unfortunately, I don't have sump pump insurance, and the plumber's insurance company is claiming no liabilty.

The restoration and the plumber are now going after the sump pump manufacturer for a bad switch.

We still have a lot "stuff" that we are keeping that is scattered around the dining room, living room, family room, etc until I receive new steel (Penco) shelves.

This whole ordeal sucked, but on the bright side the only damage is the album jackets and we have had an extended spring cleaning season this year.

Oh yea one casualty is that I lost two of the metal (bi amp) bridges for my speaker terminals.

[jdandy]

Joe.......Have you discovered where the water is coming into the basement? That needs to be addressed, too.

[chessman]

JGM411, you have just experienced one of my worst nightmares. My gear is also in my basement. I have a sump pump, with a second backup pump, and a backup battery, and a special insurance rider, but I still worry about it. Your ordeal truly sucks.

[Cohibaman]

I still fret every time it rains even though my sump pump only runs once or twice a year. However, my neighbors runs nearly 24/7 and he just gutted his basement because it flooded last month. My previous house had a cracked section of pipe that connected the downspouts to the horizontal feed to the street. It took two years, several sump pumps, and finally a basement full of water before the builder decided it was cheaper to find and fix the problem than getting sued. I feel your pain and good luck!

[Masterlu]

Yep, if I said it wasn't a concern of mine I would be lying.

(But all my speakers are elevated 2" by Stillpoints )

[JGM411]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Joe.......Have you discovered where the water is coming into the basement? That needs to be addressed, too.

It's normal around here. We had a really big rain between the sump pump install and the night of its failure.

I am just thankful that i went downstairs when I did. Oh yea the pool table survived as well. No cracks in the ball and claw foot legs, i.e. end grain wood wicks water faster that flat sawn wood.. That is a pretty good indicator that the water as not on the floor very long.

[John49]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

... (But all my speakers are elevated 2" by Stillpoints )

I knew that they must bring a further benefit to a system!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Yep, if I said it wasn't a concern of mine I would be lying.

(But all my speakers are elevated 2" by Stillpoints )

Ivan.......That's pretty good unless there's 6 inches of water.

[Masterlu]

Ugh!

[Golucid]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

(But all my speakers are elevated 2" by Stillpoints )

Ivan, you've got a great sense of humor. I blurted out a chuckle reading the line.