Emergency Water Removal & Extraction

Emergency water removal means getting standing water out of your home or business fast, usually the same day, with pumps and commercial extractors. It's the first step of every water damage job. The sooner the water is out, the less soaks into walls, subfloors and furniture, and the lower the chance of mold.

When to call for emergency extraction

• Standing water on floors or in a basement
• Carpet that squishes underfoot or is soaked through to the pad
• Water coming through a ceiling or out of a wall
• A burst pipe, failed water heater, washer or dishwasher overflow
• Sewage backup (always a job for a professional)

How extraction works

Crews use truck-mounted extractors for large losses and portable extractors where hoses can't reach. Submersible pumps handle deep water in basements and crawl spaces. Weighted extraction tools press water out of carpet pad, which a shop vacuum can't do. Once the standing water is gone, the crew sets up air movers and dehumidifiers to start drying the structure.

Can I do it myself?

A small spill of clean water on a hard floor can be mopped and dried with good airflow. For anything larger, a wet-dry vacuum removes only surface water and leaves the pad and subfloor wet. Rented carpet extractors help, but without moisture meters you can't tell when the job is really done. If the water came from a toilet, sewer line or outside flooding, don't handle it yourself.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using a household vacuum on water. It's an electrical hazard and ruins the vacuum.
• Walking through standing water before the power to that area is off.
• Leaving wet rugs and furniture in place, where they keep the floor underneath wet and can stain it.
• Turning the heat up high to dry things. Heat without dehumidification raises indoor humidity and spreads moisture to dry rooms.

Questions to ask before the crew arrives

• How fast can you be here, and is there an emergency or after-hours fee?
• Will you take moisture readings and photos for my insurance claim?
• Do you only extract, or do you also handle drying and repairs?
• Are your technicians IICRC certified?

How to get help now

Use the Get help now button on this page and tell us what happened, where, and how much water is involved. We pass your request to an independent restoration company that serves your area so they can call you back and arrange a visit. Flood Rescue Pros is a free referral service: we don't do the work ourselves, and the company you're matched with sets its own prices, schedule and terms. Ask any company for its licensing, insurance and IICRC certification before you sign anything.