Help needed: friends without power struggling with flooding basement

Submitted by Reklino t3_zu14fr in vermont

Hey folks. Hope everyone is doing okay in regards to the storm. I've got a couple of friends in Middlebury who have been stuck carrying water out of their basement for 20 hours straight now. They have a sump pump, but no generator. I'm getting worried about them now that the temp is dropping and they're going to be carrying buckets throughout the morning. I know it's a lot to ask, but if anyone has it in their ability to deliver a Christmas miracle in the form of loaning someone a generator (or other way of powering a sump pump), pls dm or comment.

Happy holidays ✌️

UPDATE:

u/willman3755 brought us a Christmas miracle and helped us out until the power came back. Y'all have a wonderful community up here. Makes me want to move to Vermont. Thanks for all the help, and happy holidays 🎄.

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Comments

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andrews301xrd t1_j1hqse6 wrote

Taylor rental is open until 12 today, they might have something to rent. Hopefully power will be restored soon, I know the line workers are out in full force doing their best.

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Reklino OP t1_j1hwoze wrote

Unfortunately, it's closed. Closed on Saturdays

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Reklino OP t1_j1hugrh wrote

That's actually right down the road from them. Thanks!

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Vermontess t1_j1gnwht wrote

If they have a hose they may be able to siphon the water? Hope they find help

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wholeWheatButterfly t1_j1ijw16 wrote

I read this as I was exiting the thread and thought it said, "they may be able to sip out the water. Hope that help" lol

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Reklino OP t1_j1hjwm0 wrote

Will these work if it's having to climb up and out of the basement?

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ARaoulVermonter t1_j1hlxwr wrote

Yes it can navigate hills and whatnot, but a siphon will only work if the hose ends at a lower point than it began.

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Reklino OP t1_j1hmbwn wrote

Yeah, I don't know that they have any point lower near enough by, sadly. I guess if there were a sewer drain nearby, that could work, but I don't think there is

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Vermontess t1_j1hridv wrote

They could shove the hose down their laundry drain or water main but if they aren’t on town water it may hurt their septic if it’s very large amounts of water

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woden_spoon t1_j1htr25 wrote

Plumbing in municipal areas usually leaves the basement 3-4 feet above the level of the floor.

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Reklino OP t1_j1hukiz wrote

Yep. Their's is a bit too high up.

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Vermontess t1_j1hxrid wrote

Dang. Bucket at shoulder level and keep dumping in? Saves the trips up the stairs at least

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1DollarOr1Million t1_j1i7p8m wrote

Ok so this is super ghetto, and you gotta know some electrical knowledge, but you can rig the power to the sub pump up to an installed car battery. Then run the car so that it is self recharging and it will run. I know someone that was in the same situation and did this after like 14 hours straight of bailing water.

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Robb_da_dog t1_j1i8wt0 wrote

I'm pretty sure you could just connect a power inverter To a car battery Without it being connected to a car And plug the sump into that. Not sure where you would get those things on Christmas Eve though.

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daynewolf036 t1_j1hjpl8 wrote

GMP has started putting up repair estimates. 930 for me.

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Dapper-Ad-7543 t1_j1i0wsx wrote

Call the town fire department, they’ll have a generator to let you borrow for this emergency!

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Reklino OP t1_j1i2hu4 wrote

Called em, but they said to try rental stores (which are closed today)

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glitterandjazzhands t1_j1i4oli wrote

Have you/they posted on your Facebook page - when the local warming shelter closed last night at 6 - I watched families in need find places to stay in the comments within an hour. In Vergennes. Maybe someone with a generator could run by? I’m sorry this is happening.

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[deleted] t1_j1iiesc wrote

[deleted]

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Reklino OP t1_j1ix74v wrote

Not sure what you mean, but I got help from a fellow redditor in the end. Saved our butts and restored my faith in humanity. Hope you have a happy holidays, friend ✌️

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