For those with arcades in the basement . . do you freak out whenever

gfschn01

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For those with arcades in the basement . . do you freak out whenever

There is a large rainstorm or many days of rain? My biggest fear is that although I have a sump pump with a water pressure back up, I come downstairs one morning and see my games floating around. My arcades are in the finished part of our basement, while the sump pump is in the other area that is unfinished which may become my game room. Anything I can do to provide some extra security without making my games look like they are on stilts?
 
Depends on how much water you fear you might get. Has your basement ever flooded before? I've had water in mine 3 or 4 times. But it was 1/4 in or less of flowing water, and I have a floor drain. That's maddening enough. I have my games on plywood stands with carpet rems glued to the bottom so I can slide them around easily without using a dolly. These stands have saved my games from the water each time. If it got above 2" though I would be in trouble. I haven't had any trouble since extending a couple of my rain gutters out farther from the house...
 
Yeah i have gotten up to 3/4 in spots in my basement in spring time, or a long stretch of rain. I have my games up off the floor. And they are insured. None of my games are rare, so they can all be replaced. Possibly with nicer examples.......
 
I ALWAYS freak out when that happens. I've had a couple of close calls with really crazy weather and torrential downpours and almost lost the battle once. Here's the thread describing my scariest night battling potential flooding:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=143661&highlight=basement+flood

Since that time I've had my gutters replaced with larger ones and have extension pipes that take water as far away from the house as I can. I check the battery backup and replace it when I feel it's time. That's about all I can do, but I still worry during torrential rain and thunderstorms. Getting extra insurance is the only thing left to do in case it all goes south.
 
Only thing i worry about is humidity and the hot water heater going. tho i don't think the water has ever gotten to where the games are it's still a worry, i use 2 dehumidifiers to keep the basement and garage around 50-55% at all times.
 
Basement? Rain? These are strange words you speak...

kohms2.jpg
 
Since that time I've had my gutters replaced with larger ones and have extension pipes that take water as far away from the house as I can. I check the battery backup and replace it when I feel it's time. That's about all I can do, but I still worry during torrential rain and thunderstorms. Getting extra insurance is the only thing left to do in case it all goes south.

My old house had a leaking basement. More than 2" of rain and it was leaking.

When I had the new house built I told the builder he had to do whatever needed to make sure it didn't leak. He installed the 6" french drain all around the footer, and the waterproofing on the outside of the poured concrete walls.

When it came time I told him I wanted all the front downspouts (6 total) redirected 40 ft off the side of the house and down the hill. Some of the contractors and others were saying I was wasting my money. I later talked to the only nearby neighbor I have and he only had a crawlspace (think hoe-ramming 6+ ft of limestone for my basement). His crawlspace had 6" of water in it for the first 6 months until he redirected all his downspouts. I know, CSB.

5 months after moving in I had water in my basement - but it was from the drain for the furnace/AC. It had frozen at the exit and backed up into the basement. The builder fixed that - fortunately I didn't get anything wet.
 
I used to think that way also. I live at just about the highest point in my town. Then one day it rained all day and all night. Really was like something out of the bible. I think we had over 12 inches of rain. The ground was so saturated that it leaked into our basement. I only had about 1 inch but many of my neighbors had 4-5 inches. Those at the bottom of the hill were totally out of luck.

Not saying you should worry. but I might have a plan of action just in case.

No.. We live on the top of a hill. So we dont have to worry about that :)
I have thought about it though.

Jon
 
I am paranoid all the time. Having had 2 basement floods (one my fault, the other courtesy Hurricane Irene), it always worries me when it rains alot. The strange thing where I live is that the sump pump pit does not normally get alot of water in it until AFTER ( a day or 2) the heave rains. Then it runs often. I have a battery backup as well, but during the hurricane they just could not keep up.

This is after things receeded a bit. Like I said, others had it MUCH worse. This was more of an annoyance.



Darthpunk had a much worse situation that I did, but it still sucked with 7 inches of wayer in the basement.

I have mostly pinball machines. If the water gets that high I will just pack it in, LOL.

The video games I had in the basement did not fare as well. The Space Duel was like a sponge, but the Moon Patrol did quite well.

Since Irene, we have replaced the flooring with a plastic floor and PVC trim, so water will not destroy the flooring int he future. I no longer keep any cardboard boxes on the floor under the pins, and also bought water detector alarms which sit neqar the sump pump area.

I think it will always be a concern to me. Best to try not to think about it, and know that you have done all you can do to prevent the situation.

Chris
 
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I am paranoid all the time. Having had 2 basement floods (one my fault, the other courtesy Hurricane Irene), it always worries me when it rains alot. The strange thing where I live is that the sump pump pit does not normally get alot of water in it until AFTER ( a day or 2) the heave rains. Then it runs often. I have a battery backup as well, but during the hurricane they just could not keep up.

This is after things receeded a bit. Like I said, others had it MUCH worse. This was more of an annoyance.



Darthpunk had a much worse situation that I did, but it still sucked with 7 inches of wayer in the basement.

I have mostly pinball machines. If the water gets that high I will just pack it in, LOL.

The video games I had in the basement did not fare as well. The Space Duel was like a sponge, but the Moon Patrol did quite well.

Since Irene, we have replaced the flooring with a plastic floor and PVC trim, so water will not destroy the flooring int he future. I no longer keep any cardboard boxes on the floor under the pins, and also bought water detector alarms which sit neqar the sump pump area.

I think it will always be a convern to me. Best to try not to think about it, and know that you have done all you can do to prevent the situation.

Chris

Sorry about your flood. Hope all recovered well. Never thought of a water detector alarm. Thanks for the input.
 
Nope, my basement is leak free. I have never even heard my sump pump working! My house sits a little higher than most on my street.

JJ
 
My house was built in 82. No signs of any flooding, but I still worry. I dehumidify in the summer. That's the big thing. But if it ever floods I'm probably screwed.
 
Basement arcades

Mine is in the basement too

I did the backup sump off the cold water as well, damn thing gave way at the one way valve and put some water downstairs, luckily it was prior to games making there way. Now I have a backup generator box installed. Thank goodness for friends who are electricians

I love it though, run the dehumidifier in summer no biggy.
 
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