Standing water has to come out before anything else can dry. Disaster Rental is setting up water extractor and pump rentals for homeowners and restoration contractors.
Drying equipment works on moisture in materials and air. It is a slow way to remove a puddle. The first mechanical step in most water losses is taking out the free water, which means pumping a flooded space or running an extractor over saturated carpet and floors.
Pumps handle standing water. Extractors pull water out of carpet, padding and hard floors that are wet but not flooded. The right tool depends on the depth, the flooring and whether the water is clean, which is a question our guide to water categories and classes explains.
Do not drain a flooded basement all at once. If the ground outside is still saturated, water in the soil pushes against the foundation from outside, and the water inside holds it back. Remove the inside water too quickly and that pressure can crack or rupture walls and floors.
FEMA guidance describes a cautious approach for groundwater flooding. Start only after floodwater no longer covers the ground outside, pump out about a foot of water, mark the level and wait overnight. If the water has risen back to the mark, it is too early. Once it stays down, pump more, repeating daily until the space is empty. Local officials know local conditions, so check with them, and see the basement flood guide for the full sequence.
An electric pump or wet vacuum should be used only after an electrician has confirmed it is safe to turn power on to a flooded area. If the electrical system has been underwater or the panel is wet, the answer is to stay out and call a professional.
Gasoline-powered pumps and generators produce carbon monoxide. Health department guidance is blunt: never run them inside a house, garage or any enclosed space, and keep generators outdoors and well away from the building. Do not connect a generator to home wiring without the proper transfer equipment.
Sewage and floodwater are not the same as water from a supply line. Contaminated water can carry pathogens and chemicals, and pumping it out is only the first step in a cleanup that often includes removing porous materials. If you suspect sewage, read our sewage backup safety guide and consider hiring a licensed professional instead of renting equipment to do it yourself.
Rules for where pumped water can be discharged vary by city, county and state. Ask your local authority before pointing a hose at a storm drain or a neighbor's yard.
Once the free water is removed, the structure still holds moisture. The next steps are air movers and dehumidifiers, and removal of any materials that cannot be dried. Plan for those while you arrange the pump so there is no gap between pumping and drying.
To suggest the right equipment, we need to know how deep the water is, what kind of floor you are dealing with, where the water can go and whether the source is clean or contaminated. Tell us if power is available in the area and has been confirmed safe, and whether the space has a floor drain or sump.
If you are a contractor, tell us how many units the job calls for and for how many days. Availability, pickup and delivery options and rental terms are confirmed in our reply, and we do not promise anything on this page that we cannot confirm for your job.
A pump moves standing water out of a flooded area. An extractor pulls water out of carpet, padding and floors that are wet but not flooded. Many jobs use both.
Not always. If the flooding came from rising groundwater, draining it too fast can damage the walls and floor. Follow the gradual approach in our guide and check with local officials.
Equipment may be available, but sewage is a health hazard and cleanup involves more than removing the liquid. A licensed professional is usually the safer route.
Yes, most pumps need a discharge hose. Where that water may go is regulated locally, so confirm before you start.
Tell us what is wet and what you need, and we will reply with availability and terms.