Basement Flooding in East Haven: Nor'easter Prep Guide

Why the Shoreline Floods First

Shoreline neighborhoods like Momauguin in East Haven and Morris Cove across the harbor get hit from two directions in a storm like this. Hours of rain soak the ground and push water through old foundation cracks, and high tides slow down how fast the storm drains can empty. Older homes with cast iron or clay sewer lines add a second risk: when the lines in the street fill up, sewer water can come back up through the lowest drain in the house, usually the basement floor drain.

Five Things to Do Before the Rain Peaks

• Test the sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch it kick on and drain. Clear leaves and gravel away from the float so it moves freely.
• Plan for the power going out. The National Weather Service lists downed limbs and power outages among its main concerns for this storm, and a sump pump with no power just sits there. A battery backup pump keeps the pit draining when the lights go out.
• Clear gutters, downspouts, and the curb drain. Point every downspout several feet away from the foundation, and rake leaves off the storm drain in front of the house so street water has somewhere to go.
• Get valuables off the basement floor. Boxes and anything with a cord go up on shelves or upstairs before Friday night.
• Find the main shutoff and the floor drain. Know where both are before you need them. If water starts coming up the floor drain, stop running the washer and dishwasher, since every gallon you send down the line adds to the backup.

Signs You Need a Plumber Now

• Sewage or gray water coming up through a floor drain or basement toilet. That points to a backup in the sewer line and needs a pro with the right equipment.
• The sump pump runs nonstop or hums without pumping while the water in the pit keeps rising.
• Water coming in where a pipe passes through the foundation wall. The seal around that pipe has failed and it gets worse with every hour of rain.
• Every drain in the house gurgles or runs slow at once. A whole-house slowdown during a storm usually means the main line, and a plumber can camera it once the water drops.
• Standing water near the water heater or electrical panel. Stay out of that water and call a licensed pro. Gas and electrical work is never a DIY job.

If water is rising or your drains are backing up, call us or use the form on this page and we'll get a licensed plumber out to you in East Haven and West Haven, day or night. For a backed-up main, see our sewer line repair page, and for anything that can't wait, our emergency plumber page. Thinking about adding a backup pump after the storm? Our sump pump cost guide covers what to expect.

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