Basements can experience water and drain backups for several reasons including drain clogs, equipment failure, and extreme weather.  With the first day of Spring on March 20^th, now is the time to make sure you and your basement are prepared for the unexpected.   

What can I do to prepare & protect my belongings?  

• Stored items should be placed in plastic totes with lids which keep out moisture and pets. 
• Cardboard is not recommended for long term storage.  When cardboard is in use, items should be stored on shelves or milk crates up off the ground. 
• Clear out broken or unwanted furniture by scheduling for donation or bulk pickup.
  • Contact leasing@creativehousing.org if you need more information on how to do this at your property. 
• Ensure there is ample space around appliances and equipment.
  • In general, there should be at minimum 36” around basement fixtures to all for proper functionality and servicing.
• Don’t use your basement frequently?
  • Plan to visually inspect the basement on a weekly basis or periodically during extreme weather events. 
  • If experiencing any issues with drains other fixtures in the home, check and see if the basement is affected. 
• Evidence of water (markings on the floor, matter around the floor drain, etc., should be reported to maintenance@creativehousing.org when found.
  • It’s always a good idea to call from the home in case maintenance needs additional troubleshooting from the site. 

What to do if I find water in my basement? 

• Call Creative Housing!
  • Our maintenance staff will collect information to determine next steps. 
  • A work order will be put in for service. 
  • Timeliness will be explained at the time of the request.
• Emergency calls that require same day service may require someone be onsite to provide access to the property.
  • We will notify you if this is the case. 
  • It is important to be home if you have committed to do so.

Who is responsible for cleaning up my basement after a backup?

• Creative Housing will ensure the cause of the backup has been addressed. 
• Households will be responsible to address any stored items that were affected by the event.
  • See recommendations above.
  • Wet cardboard/furniture/items must be removed within 48 hours
• Creative Housing equipment may be temporarily installed to address moisture issues.
• In the event the main drain backs up causing sewage in the basement, the household or a disaster clean up company should clean the area within 48 hours.
  • Expectations may be outlined by the maintenance department during the event. 
  • Backups found to be caused by the household (wipes being flushed, objects in the drain, etc) will result in the household receiving a bill for service.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our maintenance department, who will be happy to assist. You can give them a call at: 614-418-7725 x16 or email: maintenance@creativehousing.org.