Water Removal Tools

Watertight Containers

• Using a watertight container can provide a simple solution for water removal. Most homes will have equipment to hand that fits this category, with some of the common options including buckets and basins. However, any simple container made of plastic, glass, metal or any other material that can hold water without leaking will provide an adequate tool for bailing and removing water.

Water Pillows

• A water pillow has a shape much the same as a standard pillow and comes in a variety of sizes. Made of highly absorbent material, the pillow will soak up water and hold it when placed in a pool of standing water. Taking it to a convenient location then enables disposal of the water simply by squeezing it from the pillow, which is then available for immediate reuse. Water pillows can provide a simple method of removing shallow standing water that may prove difficult to bail.

Squeegee Tools

• Squeegee tools can help with water removal, and these typically work in a couple of ways. Straight-bladed or nonabsorbent roller squeegees use solid plastic blades or rollers to push water in front of them. This capability allows you to move water around to take it to a convenient location for disposal. An absorbent roller squeegee, or sopper, has a foam pad that soaks up water as you roll the squeegee over it. As it works, that water travels from the pad into a holding tank for easy disposal.

Hand Pumps

• Tools that can speed up the removal of water include hand pumps. Place the base of the tool in the water, then pump the handle manually. This action draws water into the pump and deposits it through an outlet pipe. A short outlet pipe enables you to pump the water into a suitable container for disposal, or you can use a longer pipe to pump the water directly to a convenient disposal point.

Motorized Pumps

• Those who want a water removal tool that works more efficiently can use a motorized pump. This tool works on the same principal as a hand pump, although it typically runs on an electrically or gasoline powered motor. This capability makes it a more powerful tool, which greatly reduces the effort involved in clearing water. It also has the benefit of working faster; for quick and efficient water removal, especially where large quantities are involved, it can prove an appropriate choice.