emergency
My basement is flooding — what to buy right now
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TL;DR — If water is actively rising, get it moving out with whatever pump you can deploy in the next few minutes — a portable submersible unit needs no pit and no plumbing — then deal with the permanent fix once the floor stops getting worse.
First 90 seconds
- Cut power at the breaker to any outlet or fixture sitting in or near standing water. Don’t reach into water to unplug something — kill it at the panel.
- Find the fastest way to move water toward a drain, door, or window — gravity first, pump second.
- Get a portable submersible pump running on the deepest standing water. It doesn’t need a sump pit; it just needs to be underwater and plugged into a dry, GFCI-protected outlet.
- Move anything valuable or electrical off the floor while the pump runs.
- Once the water stops rising, move to the permanent fix below — a portable pump is a stopgap, not a sump system.
What to buy, in order
1. A portable submersible utility pump, first. This is the thing that actually stops water rising tonight. It doesn’t require a sump pit or any plumbing — drop it in standing water, run the hose out a window or door, plug it in.
| Motor | 1 HP |
|---|---|
| Max flow rate | 5,000 GPH |
| Max lift height | 30 ft |
| Housing | Thermoplastic |
| Low-water pickup | Down to ~0.2 in |
2. A permanent sump pump, once the immediate water is out. If this is tied to a sump pit and the existing pump failed, that’s the actual fix — a portable pump is not a substitute for a properly installed sump system running continuously.
| Motor | 1/3 HP |
|---|---|
| Max flow rate | Up to 4,600 GPH |
| Housing | Cast iron, epoxy-coated steel |
| Switch | Integrated vertical float |
| Warranty | 3 years |
3. A backup power source, after that. The single most common way a sump pump “fails” is that the power goes out during the same storm that’s flooding the pit. That’s a separate purchase — see backup power for battery and water-powered options once this emergency is handled.
Common questions
Can I run a shop vac to buy time?
For a wet-dry shop vac: yes, for small amounts. Most wet/dry vacs hold 5–16 gallons and have to be stopped and emptied manually, so they work for a damp spill but not for water that's actively rising. A submersible utility pump moving continuously through a hose will clear standing water far faster and doesn't need to be emptied by hand.
Alerts before the weather turns, and honest gear picks. About twice a month.