How to Drain a Flooded Basement

10/5/2018 (Permalink)

Flood damage in a South Jordan,UT home

Flood insurance coverage is a blessing if you have it, but even if you do, there is still the issue of water removal after a basement flood. The tips and tools below can help make this type of cleanup less of a headache and more approachable.

1. Wait for Exterior Water to Recede

While it is troubling to see water where there shouldn’t be, you should wait for the exterior water level to recede before attempting to pump out your basement after a flood. If you do not wait, then everything you pump out will likely recollect in your basement. Once water levels have receded, you can safely remove standing water without the worry of reflooding.

2. Rent a Submersible Pump for Deeper Floods

If the basement flood is more than a foot deep, you may want to rent or purchase a submersible pump, which will allow you to submerge the pump in the lowest area of the flood and, connecting a drainage hose, begin evacuating the water. Depending on the overall area of your basement, it may be more efficient to rent a couple of pumps to speed up the process.

3. Use a Wet/Dry Vac for Shallower Floods

For a shallower flooded basement, you can use a wet/dry vac to suck up excess water. It is better to use these vacuums in shallower floods because the process of bringing them up the stairs when full can be daunting. Use wet/dry vacs when the flooded area is contained to a small space and no deeper than an inch. If it is a larger space, you may want to use a pump, although you do not necessarily have to use a submersible pump for shallow floods.

4. Hire a Professional

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process of floodwater removal, then you can hire a flood cleanup professional in South Jordan, UT, to assist you. These specialists will have the proper equipment and expertise to help you resolve your flood woes quickly and efficiently.

A basement flood can be devastating. Fortunately, there are tools and even companies that can make the flood cleanup process less stressful and more manageable.