How to Pump Water out of a Basement

Shut off all electrical power to the basement before entering the water. The switch will be labeled in your main fuse box. If there is not a switch just for the basement, turn the main power switch off. This is important to avoid getting electrocuted if there is an exposed wire underwater.

Remove as much standing water as possible using a water pump, which can be rented or purchased online or at a hardware store. A water pump may leave a small amount of water still standing on the floor. To clean up the rest, use a wet/dry vacuum. This will remove any water left behind from the pump.

Clean all surfaces that the water came in contact with, including the walls, using warm soapy water. To avoid streaking, start from the floor and work your way up the walls. Dry up any excess water on the walls and floor using dry towels or rags.

Remove the remaining moisture in the basement using a dehumidifier. This will help prevent mold from appearing in hard-to-see areas. Keep all windows closed to assure all moisture is sucked out with the dehumidifier. Using fans along with the humidifier will help dry out cement walls, which are porous and absorb moisture. It will take two to three days to completely dry out the basement.

Clean any areas that develop surface mold using special mold killing solutions, which can be bought at hardware stores. Bleach will also work, but only for surface mold. It will not kill mold that is in porous materials. This is important to prevent health risks related to mold.