Equipment reviews
Water Removal Equipment — Sump Pumps, Utility Pumps & Wet Vacuums
Standing water is removed in order of depth: pump the volume, vacuum the remainder, then dry what is left in the materials. These pages cover the first two steps.
Quick answer
Match the tool to the depth. A wet/dry vacuum handles a wet floor and shallow pooling and costs about $50. A submersible utility pump moves inches of standing water and is judged on its minimum water level — one that stops at 1/8 inch clears a floor, one that stops at an inch leaves you mopping. A sump pump is permanent infrastructure sized by head height rather than horsepower, and it needs a battery backup, because the storm that fills a basement is the storm that cuts the power.
Buying guides in Water Removal
Best Sump Pumps for Basement Flooding (2026)
Top pick: Wayne CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible Sump Pump
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Best Sump Pump Battery Backups (2026)
Top pick: Basement Watchdog Special CONNECT (BWSP)· $279
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Best Submersible Water Pumps for Flood Removal (2026)
Top pick: Wayne EEAUP250 Electric Water Removal Pump
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Best Wet/Dry Vacuums for Water Damage (2026)
Top pick: Stanley SL18116P Wet/Dry Vacuum (6 Gallon, 4 HP)· $50
Read the guideFrequently Asked Questions
How do I size a sump pump?
By head height, not horsepower. A pump's advertised flow is quoted at a low lift, and real output falls sharply as it pushes water higher — a pit discharging 10 feet up and then out delivers far less than the headline figure suggests.
Measure from the pit floor to the discharge exit, add the horizontal run, and read the pump's performance curve at that figure. Cast iron housings outlast plastic on continuous duty.
Does a sump pump need a battery backup?
In most areas, yes, and the reason is simple timing: the storm that overwhelms a sump pit is often the storm that cuts mains power.
A backup system takes over on water level, so it also covers a seized motor or a stuck float, not just an outage. Budget $280–$470 for the system and another $100–$200 for a deep-cycle battery, which none of them include.
Can a wet/dry vacuum replace a pump?
Only at shallow depths. A 6-gallon wet/dry vacuum is ideal for a wet floor, a laundry overflow or the last half inch a pump cannot reach, and it is the more practical tool once water is below an inch or so.
For anything deeper it becomes an exercise in carrying 50 lb tanks of water repeatedly, which a $95 submersible pump does continuously and without you.
What does removing the water still leave behind?
The part that causes the actual damage. Extraction removes what you can see; the moisture absorbed into subfloor, drywall, insulation and framing stays, and that is what grows mould within 24 to 48 hours.
Removing standing water is the first hour of a job that continues with air movers and a dehumidifier until moisture readings reach dry standard.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7