While floodwaters can ruin a home’s basement, pumping out the water can cause more problems if not done correctly, says Steve Cain, Purdue University Extension disaster communications specialist, in a news release.
“Removing all of the water at once may cause serious structural damage to the house,” Cain said. “Draining the water too fast could cause the collapse of the cellar walls, floors and foundation of the house.”
Water should be drained slowly to equalize pressure on both sides of the walls, he said.
Cain suggested the following steps when pumping water from a basement:
• Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside;
• Pump water away from the home to avoid it flowing back in;
• Pump out 1 foot of water, mark the water level and wait overnight;
• Check the water level the next day. “If the level went back up and covered your mark, it is still too early to drain your basement,” he said;
• Wait 24 hours and then pump the water down 1 foot again. Check the level the next day;
• When the water in the basement stops returning to the mark, pump out 2-3 feet and wait overnight; and
• Repeat the above step daily until all the water is out of the basement.
For additional flood recovery information, read the Purdue Extension publication “First Steps to Flood Recovery.” The publication is available at county offices of Purdue Extension, by calling the toll-free Purdue Extension hotline at 888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) or online at www.ces.purdue.edu/floodpub/index.html.
Clark County
Expert gives advice on pumping water for Southern Indiana residents
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Steamboat Museum will dedicate Pilothouse at June 9 ceremony
The bell from the steamboat Mississippi Queen will also be dedicated at this time.
Continued ...
The Mississippi Queen was built at JeffBoat in 1976 and scrapped in 2011. -
Lugar says he won’t campaign for Mourdock
Lugar issued a statement chastising Mourdock for his unwillingness to compromise after the tea party favorite soundly beat him in the May 8 primary election.
Continued ... -
Grants available to downtown Jeffersonville residents
“The goal of this program is to strengthen the historic core of our community and to promote ongoing economic development in Jeffersonville,” said Jay Ellis, executive director of Jeffersonville Main Street Inc.
Continued ... -
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
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THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
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Former employee sues Jeffersonville
The suit references a city policy, in which employees are supposed to receive a $100 stipend for each day they’re on call.
Continued ... - May 25, 2012
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Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
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Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
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Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
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Steamboat Museum will dedicate Pilothouse at June 9 ceremony
