Flood water pumping is the first physical step of a flood cleanup in New York City: getting standing water out of a basement, cellar, garage or ground floor so the rest of the work can begin. It sounds simple, but it is where people get hurt, through electricity, carbon monoxide and contaminated water. This page explains how to do it safely and when to leave it to a provider.
Water line
Flood Restoration NYC is an independent referral service, not a restoration company. When you send the form, your details go to an independent local restoration provider serving New York City, who can contact you, inspect and quote any work directly. You decide whether to hire them.
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Before any pump goes in
Standing water and live wiring do not mix. The CDC’s rules: if the main power switch can be reached from a dry place, turn it off. If you would have to step into standing water to reach it, call an electrician to turn it off. Never turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water. And if you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows and leave.
Most pumps run on electricity, so the power question has to be settled before the pump question. Any provider who comes out will need to know about it first.
Generators: outside, 20 feet away
The EPA says to use a generator only outside and at least 20 feet away from buildings, and never inside a home, garage, shed or similar enclosed area. A generator makes carbon monoxide, which could kill you in minutes. Do not run one in a basement to power a pump, even with a window open.
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When not to pump yet
If the water came up through a floor drain or toilet during heavy rain, it is a sewer backup. DEP describes these as rain beyond the capacity of the pipes, overflowing from manholes, catch basins and basement sewer connections. During Ida, NYC Health reports, rain fell at up to 3.5 inches an hour in places, against a sewer capacity of 1.75 inches an hour. While the street sewer is full, pumping the basement into a drain only sends water back where it came from. Wait for the rain to stop and the water to stop rising.
If water is still pouring in from the street, report flooding manholes and water on the street or sidewalk to 311, which takes those reports, and wait for the source to stop.
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The equipment
The CDC names three tools for removing standing water once the power is safe: a wet-dry shop vacuum (or the vacuum function of a carpet steam cleaner), an electric water transfer pump, or a sump pump.
| Tool | Suits | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Wet-dry shop vacuum | A thin layer across a floor, corners, carpet edges | Small tank; slow for anything deeper |
| Electric water transfer pump | Inches to feet of standing water, pumped out through a hose | Needs safe power and somewhere for the water to go |
| Sump pump | A basement with a sump pit, keeping water level down | Only pumps what reaches the pit |
| Provider’s pumps and extraction units | Deep water, large spaces, water in carpet and pad | Provider brings and runs them |
Pumping removes the standing water. Extraction, which restoration providers do with heavier equipment, pulls water out of carpet, pad and porous surfaces. Both come before drying.
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Protect yourself from the water
Floodwater is usually contaminated. The IICRC S500 standard’s examples of Category 3 water include sewage, flooding from seawater and rising water from rivers or streams. The CDC lists what floodwater can carry, including human and livestock waste and hazardous waste, and advises rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles for anyone who must enter it. The EPA calls standing water a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and mold, and says that for damage caused by sewage or other contaminated water, call in a professional with experience cleaning it.
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After the pump-out
Once the water is out, the cleanup proper starts. For Category 2 or 3 water the S500 standard says remediation should come before restorative drying, with contamination controls and worker protection. In practice: soaked porous materials come out, hard surfaces are cleaned, and the space is dried with air movers and dehumidifiers. The EPA’s target is to dry within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
The full sequence is on the flood cleanup in NYC page. If the water was sewage, read sewage cleanup in NYC; if it was a basement apartment, read basement flooding in NYC first.
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Before you call it done
- Photograph the water before pumping and the space after, for any insurance claim.
- Have an electrician check the electrical system before power goes back on, as the CDC advises.
- Have the boiler, water heater and other appliances that sat in water checked before use.
- Note where the water came in so the cause can be fixed: see basement waterproofing in NYC.
Standing water in the building? Send the form with your borough and how deep it is, and an independent local provider can contact you.
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Questions people ask
Can I pump out floodwater myself?
A small amount, with a shop vacuum or pump, once the power has been made safe from a dry place or by an electrician. For deep water or sewage, the EPA advises a professional.
Can I run a generator in the basement to power a pump?
No. The EPA says generators must be used only outside and at least 20 feet from buildings, never inside a home, garage or shed.
Why does the basement fill up again after I pump it?
Often because the source has not stopped: the sewer is still surcharged after heavy rain, or saturated ground is still pushing water in. Wait for the rain to stop and the level to stop rising.
Is pumping the same as water extraction?
No. Pumping removes standing water; extraction pulls water out of carpet, pad and porous materials. Both come before drying.
NowWater in the building?
Tell us where and what happened, and an independent local provider can contact you.