How to Get Water out of a Flooded Basement
Cleaning up a flooded basement is a fairly time-sensitive issue. The faster the water is removed, the less overall lasting damage the basement and surrounding areas of the house will have. But don't go too fast. For massive flooding it is only safe to remove up to 3 feet of standing water in a single day. Removing more than that could cause the house walls and floor to crack and eventually collapse. Using a trash pump or sump pump is the best way to drain a flooded basement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker. Ensure there is no live electricity to the basement.
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Put on rubber gloves. Connect one end of the rigid hose to the suction valve coming from the pump. Place the other end of the hose in the water.
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Connect a flexible hose to the discharge valve from the pump. Unroll the hose to an area away from the house for proper drainage.
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Turn the pump on and allow it to drain the water. Adjust the location of the pump as necessary until all the water has been removed from the basement.
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Tips & Warnings
Flood water can be full of contaminants and bacteria. Be sure you have an updated tetanus shot before working around flood water and wear thick rubber gloves when working in the area.
Removing the water may be just the beginning of your cleanup efforts. Get information on disinfecting flooded areas and on proper techniques for replacing flooring or walling in affected areas. Be aware that you may need to dispose of any appliances or electric devices that have been submerged.
