What Do I Do if My Cellar Floods?

Pump out the Water

• The first goal after a cellar floods is to remove the water. However, before you start pumping, you'll need to turn your electrical and gas systems off. Inspect the basement walls for any structural damage, and open any doors and windows in the cellar to bring in fresh air. Avoid connecting an electric pump to your electrical system; use a gas pump or a neighbor's electrical outlet. Many types of pumps will connect to a garden hose. Ensure that all water pumped outside drains away from the foundation.

Go Slowly

• Don't proceed too quickly when pumping water from a cellar. The water might give the cellar walls support from the force of the water-drenched soil pressing against them. Pumping too fast may damage your basement walls or floors. Remove about one-third of the water each day, advises the University of Minnesota Extension. Examine the walls for any signs of cracks or other damage after each pumping session.

Cleaning

• Once you have removed the water from the cellar, start the cleanup by getting rid of the mud and debris the flood has left behind. Don't wait for the mud to dry before shoveling it out of the basement; remove it as soon as you can. Hose down the walls, and scrub them clean. One cup of chlorine to 1 gallon of water makes a good sanitizing agent. Let the cellar dry out. You can place a fan in the cellar to help speed up the drying process.

Prevention

• Store any valuable items or items especially susceptible to water damage in another area of your property. Installing a sump pump in your cellar helps prevent future flooding. A sump pump consists of a drain about 2 feet below the level of the cellar floor that collects water. A pump inside the drain will start moving the water outside through pipes when the water reaches a certain level. If you have good home repair skills, you can put in a sump pump yourself, but you probably want to contact a professional to do this job.