Preparing for Flood Restoration After a Storm

When it comes to weather disasters, flooding is one of the most common and severe hazards disrupting lives and livelihoods. Due to climate change, it’s expected to increase over the coming decades. A rapid response to flooding is critical to mitigate losses, so plan in advance for flood restoration of your jobsite, facility or business, especially if it’s located in a flood-prone or hurricane-prone area. That includes deciding how you’ll acquire water pumps and other storm clean-up equipment.

Partnering with a vendor such as United Rentals that offers a large inventory of dewatering equipment and the expertise to design and set up a dewatering system is a smart way to prepare. United Rentals also offers power and HVAC equipment and other equipment needed to facilitate flood damage restoration.

Renting a water pump for flooding

Whether you’re facing flooding caused by a natural disaster or a burst pipe, you’ll need an emergency water pump to remove the water. United Rentals can help you identify the right pump to get the job done fast.

High-volume pumps

If you need to move water a short distance without a significant change in elevation, an industrial high-volume pump might be a good bet. For minor flooding, this vacuum-assisted, trailer-mounted centrifugal pump with 4-inch suction and discharge openings can remove 1,200 gallons per minute (GPM). For more severe flooding, this larger model with an 8-inch opening can move 4,600 GPM. Both run on diesel, so no generator is needed.

High-head pumps

If dewatering your site requires pumping over long distances or elevation changes, a high-head pump, which produces more pressure and pushes water up higher, will get it done. As with high-volume pumps, the size of the suction and discharge openings will dictate the water removal rate. For example, this large high-head pump featuring a 12-inch suction opening and 8-inch discharge is capable of removing up to 8,450 GPM.

Electric submersible pumps

For flooding problems in ditches, basements, or other areas with deep water, a submersible pump can help get you dried out fast. These units are designed to be completely submerged, pushing water up and away instead of pulling it in and then discharging it. Models range from this 3-inch electric pump capable of moving 400 GPM for household dewatering to larger, hydraulic models ideal for handling wastewater and fluids with large solids at capacities up to 7,000 GPM.

Trash pumps

If you need to remove only a small amount of water and it’s contaminated with stones, leaves, mud or other solids, you might be advised to rent a trash pump. These pumps can pass solids that would clog some other pumps.

Emergency HVAC equipment

Interior flood restoration is a race against time to avoid secondary damage such as cracking wood and mold from humidity and airborne pollutants. These pieces of flood recovery equipment can help.

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air to help prevent mildew and mold growth. Portable units, such as this compact electric dehumidifier capable of removing up to 15 gallons of water per day, are perfect for drying out smaller, confined spaces. Electric or gas-powered industrial models can remove nearly 400 gallons of water daily and are better suited for use on large jobsites and warehouses.

Air scrubbers

An air scrubber is a portable filtration system that removes airborne particles, including mold spores, and improves interior air quality. Some models, such as this electric air scrubber, are capable of air flows up to 2,400 cubic feet per minute, and come with optional carbon filters to remove odors, chemical vapors or other air contaminants.

Blowers and fans

Industrial fans and blowers are designed to push large quantities of air around a site. They help prevent moisture buildup and expedite the drying process when used in tandem with air scrubbers and dehumidifiers.

Emergency power equipment

Flooding and power outages tend to coincide, so you may need generators to power flood restoration equipment and temporary lighting. Since rental generators tend to be scarce in the aftermath of a major storm, partnering with a vendor with a large inventory and superior customer service will help accelerate your recovery. United Rentals’ team of power and HVAC experts is available 24/7 to provide disaster relief power and climate control solutions.

Other flood restoration equipment

In addition to pumps, power and HVAC equipment, a one-stop equipment vendor can also provide other equipment you may need, such as the following.

Surface sweepers and scrubbers

Surface sweepers and scrubbers, available in handheld, walk-behind and ride-on models, are useful for cleaning up interior surfaces affected by flood waters. Sweepers use brush bristle movements to clean floors of debris and mud. Scrubbers use pads or brushes in conjunction with a chemical cleaning agent to loosen and remove surface grime, grit and stains.

Temporary lighting

In the event your lighting is damaged by flood waters, or you need additional lighting to enable nighttime flood restoration efforts, United Rentals carries a wide range of portable work lights, portable light stands and portable or towable light towers. Some light towers are all-in-one units that include a generator.

Material handling and earthmoving equipment

Once excess water from a flooded construction site is pumped away, the debris left behind (tree branches, jobsite materials and other hazards) will need to be removed. Earthmoving equipment such as skid steers, forklifts, and material handling equipment can quickly clear flood debris.

Contact our Fluid Solutions team to learn how United Rentals can help you prepare for and quickly respond to flooding.