Preventing Basement Flooding During Spring Rain Season

Local restoration experts share tips to protect homes from heavy rainfall and sewer backups.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a flooded rural valley shrouded in heavy fog. The scene conveys a sense of the overwhelming, sublime power of nature, with any physical structures or objects barely visible and dwarfed by the presence of the floodwaters.As spring rains overwhelm drainage systems, the threat of basement flooding looms large over rural communities.Warren Today

Residents across the Mahoning Valley in Ohio have been reporting high water levels in their basements following heavy rainfall this week, with some areas receiving over 2 inches. Local restoration company Servpro is advising homeowners to perform regular maintenance checks on their sump pumps, ensure they have battery backups, and call in professional help quickly if flooding occurs to prevent further damage from contaminated water and mold growth.

Why it matters

Basement flooding can cause significant property damage and pose health risks if not addressed promptly. As spring brings heavier rainfall, it's important for homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their homes and be prepared to respond quickly when flooding does occur.

The details

Servpro general manager Rodd Meyer recommends that homeowners check their sump pumps before heavy rain arrives to ensure they are functioning properly and clear of debris. He also advises having a sump pump with a battery backup, as power outages can disable standard pumps. If flooding does occur, Meyer cautions that water coming in from sewers and drains is likely contaminated, which can lead to bacteria and mold growth if left untreated. In these cases, he says it's crucial to call in a professional restoration company right away to extract the water, dehumidify the area, and apply antimicrobial treatments.

  • This week's heavy rainfall has led to reports of basement flooding across the Mahoning Valley.
  • Most areas received up to 2 or more inches of rain overnight.

The players

Rodd Meyer

The general manager of Servpro, a local restoration company that provides advice on preventing and addressing basement flooding.

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What they’re saying

“What you want to do is before the rain comes, is to check. Do some regular maintenance checks to see if the float is moving up and down. Check to see if there's any debris in the sump pump.”

— Rodd Meyer, General Manager, Servpro

“Sump pumps that have battery backups, because one of the reasons for water backups is because of the power going out.”

— Rodd Meyer, General Manager, Servpro

“Water coming in from sewer and drains is probably a category 3 water, which means it's contaminated water. If it's contaminated water, if it sits there, you have bacteria. You also have the possibility of mold growth, especially if you have a finished basement, any type of organic material that it could get on, mold can grow. And now you don't just have a water issue, now you have a mold issue.”

— Rodd Meyer, General Manager, Servpro

“When it comes to water damage, speed is the key. The faster you can get a restoration company there to come and extract, dehumidify, air movers and stuff like that, spray antimicrobial, the better it is for for the household.”

— Rodd Meyer, General Manager, Servpro

What’s next

Homeowners should check their sump pumps and ensure they have battery backups before the next heavy rain event. If flooding does occur, they should contact a professional restoration company immediately to mitigate further damage.

The takeaway

Proactive maintenance and quick response are key to preventing and addressing basement flooding, which can lead to significant property damage and health risks if left untreated. Homeowners should be vigilant about sump pump upkeep and prepared to call in expert help when needed.