Water in the basement right now?

Stay safe first, then figure out where the water is coming from. The source decides who pays and who you call.

Prices last checked November 3, 2026. See sources

1. Stay out of deep water if it could reach outlets, cords or the furnace. Turn off power to the basement at the breaker only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry.
2. Look at the water. Dirty, smelly water coming up through a floor drain is likely a sewer backup. Clear water seeping through walls or the floor is likely groundwater.
3. Sewer backup in the City of Columbus? Report it to the City's 24-hour Sewer Maintenance Operations Center at 614-645-7102. Keep the service request number: you'll need it to apply for Project Dry Basement.
4. Street flooding? Call 311 or 614-645-3111.
5. Take photos before you clean up, for insurance.
6. Get the water out and dry it within a day or two to limit mold. A wet-vac and fans help for small amounts; for more, call a water removal pro.

Once it's dry, read about waterproofing costs and the City programs that can help stop it happening again.