Water in the basement: what to do first

Quick answer

Do not walk into a flooded basement unless you know the electricity is off. If you can shut off power from a dry location, do it; otherwise call an electrician. Then document the damage, remove water carefully and start drying within 24-48 hours.

Safety first: Never go into a flooded basement unless you know the electricity is off, and never turn power on or off while standing in water. If you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.

What to do now

  1. Stay out until the power is off. If you can turn off the main power from a dry location, do so. If you would have to step into standing water to reach the switch, call an electrician to turn it off instead. Source: Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home - CDC
  2. Avoid contact with the water. Floodwater can contain things that can hurt you or make you sick. If you must enter it, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles, keep children out, and wash your hands after contact. Source: Safety Guidelines: Floodwater - CDC
  3. Pump out gradually if the ground outside is flooded. Water in the basement helps brace the walls against pressure from saturated soil outside. Do not pump until water around the house recedes, then remove about one-third of the water each day. Source: How to Deal With a Leaking or Flooded Basement - NDSU Extension
  4. Keep gas-powered pumps and generators outside. Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors; they produce deadly carbon monoxide exhaust. Source: Pumping a Flooded Basement - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
  5. Document the damage. Take photos and videos of the damage and your belongings before discarding anything, and keep receipts for repair and replacement purchases. Source: How to Document Damages After Severe Weather Events - FEMA
  6. Dry everything within 24 to 48 hours. Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to help prevent mold. Wet vacuums, fans and dehumidifiers speed up drying. Source: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home - US EPA
  7. Have the furnace or AC checked before using it. If water reached your heating and cooling system, have it inspected by a professional before you turn it on, because a flooded system can spread mold through the house. Source: Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home - CDC

When to call a professional

A water damage restoration company can extract water, remove soaked materials and dry the space. Ask how they will measure moisture to confirm the basement is dry, and whether they work directly with insurance companies. If the water came from sewage, say so up front, since that requires contaminated-water cleanup.

Find water damage restoration companies (2,889 listed)

Pick your state and city on the directory page, or use the location search at the top of this page, then call a local company directly.

Insurance

Photograph and video the damage before discarding items, keep your receipts, and consult your insurance company before you sign any cleaning or remediation agreement. Source: official guidance

Frequently asked questions

Should I pump all the water out at once?

Not if the ground outside is still flooded. Extension guidance says to wait until water around the house recedes, then pump out about one-third of the water each day so the walls are not damaged by outside pressure.

Is it safe to walk in basement floodwater?

Not until you know the electricity is off. Floodwater can also carry contaminants, so wear rubber boots, gloves and goggles if you must enter it, and wash your hands afterward.

When will mold start?

The EPA says drying water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours helps prevent mold growth, so start drying as soon as it is safe.

General safety information, not professional advice. In an emergency, call 911. More guides: home emergencies: what to do first.