Pump out water from the basement
Whether it's a burst pipe, flooding, or heavy rain – water in the basement is every homeowner's nightmare. While the causes are varied, one thing remains constant: quick action is essential. This guide explains why prevention is better than cure, how to pump out the water correctly, and what further steps are necessary.
Basement flooded: What to do?
- Even if the shock is profound: Keep calm and don't act rashly.
- In case of a burst pipe, you must turn off the main water valve (main shut-off valve).
- In the event of a flood or severe weather, pumping should only begin once the water level has stopped rising and the water level outside is lower than the water level inside the house. Afterwards, the rooms should be cleared of water as quickly as possible.
- Turn off the electricity in the basement to avoid electric shock.
- Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.
- If you live in a rented apartment or house, inform your landlord immediately.
How to pump correctly: Step-by-step instructions
Our step-by-step guide shows you how to proceed in an emergency.
Clear out
If possible (e.g., in the case of a burst water pipe), move valuable furniture, carpets, bulky items, and especially electrical appliances (e.g., computers) to safety. Turn off the power beforehand.
Pump out flooded basement
Place a submersible or wastewater pump in the middle of your basement. When draining, make sure the water doesn't flow back in.
The WALTER 750W dirty and clear water pump boasts an impressive delivery head of nine meters. This 2-in-1 device can pump more than 16,000 liters per hour!
Remove residual water and mud
When the water level in the basement is only a few millimeters high, it must be cleared of the remaining water, mud, and other contaminants as quickly as possible. Otherwise, these substances can harden and dry out.
The WALTER pressure washer will help you with this. The intensity of its jet can be easily adjusted. However, to avoid damaging walls and shelves, you should not set the pressure too high.
Clean and dry the basement
Finally, the basement rooms must be dried with professional drying equipment. This prevents mold growth and also removes moisture from the rooms.
Prepared for floods
Natural disasters are becoming increasingly common in today's world. Floods are a particularly significant issue in European countries. Once a flood hits, the chaos is immense, and emergency services are often overwhelmed trying to immediately clear all the floodwaters from the affected homes. The only solution is to take matters into your own hands and prepare in advance.
PUMPS IN THE WALTER ONLINE SHOP
When to call the fire department to pump out water?
Call the fire department (in Austria under 133, in Germany under 112) for help in the following cases:
- The flooding can no longer be managed with your own water pump,
- your basement is under meters of water,
- The trigger is force majeure (e.g., flooding).
- The fuse box is in the basement and you cannot safely turn off the power.
- Dangerous substances (e.g. heating oil, gasoline, paints) were released as a result of the flooding.
Attention! Pumping is not free in all cases.
Document the damage
For the damage report, you should document the basement while it is still flooded:
- Take pictures and/or videos.
- Note and mark the highest water level.
- Create a damage list that includes all defective devices.
- Notify the insurance company (and, if applicable, the landlord) as soon as possible.