1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair

How to Drain a Flooded Basement - Pump Out

By , About.com Guide

6 of 8

Water Pump Out: Part A


Water Pump Out
OK, so now it's time to pump the water out of the basement.

Remove the Water Carefully and Slowly
As I mentioned in the beginning of this tutorial, you have to go against your instinct of removing water quickly from a flooded basement situation.

Why? Because there is still likely enormous water pressure in the soil outside your basement walls and under the slab. The water in your basement may actual be balancing the outside pressure and without it, the basement walls could crack or crumble inward. I know, nothing is easy.

So to safely drain the basement proceed as follows:

  • Only venture into standing water if you are sure the power has been turned off as described earlier. Also, make sure to not do this work alone, but have someone with you in case of emergency.
  • Once the flood water has receded and is no longer standing water outside the home you can begin removing the water in the basement with a pump. If you use a gasoline powered pumps or emergency generator, please make sure they are only used outside. Improperly using these tools inside will create exhaust fumes and lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Explore Home Repair

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Make Your Own Scented Pine Cones

Bring a little of the fall season in your home with this easy-to-make craft. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair
  4. Interior Home Repair
  5. Flooded Basement Clean Up - Water Pump Out: Part B

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.