Basement flooding can be a severe and costly problem. Whether it’s caused by heavy rains, overflowing sewers, or a broken pipe, it can lead to significant water damage in your home. In Germany, yearly water flooding is widespread on the Rhine river. In 2022, catastrophic flooding swept away an entire town. It’s essential to take proactive steps to prevent basement flooding and to know how to clean up a flooded basement quickly and safely. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of what commonly causes basement flooding, its associated risks, and how to prevent and clean up flooded basements. We’ll also discuss how trash pumps can help mitigate Rhine sewage floods and how to select the right one for your needs and review the wide range of available pumps in production as of January 2023.
What Causes Basement Flooding?
Various factors, including heavy rains, overflowing sewers, and broken pipes, can cause house basement flooding. A lack of adequately connected drainage around your house or home’s foundation can also cause damage. A significant amount of moisture in the ground surrounding your home could seep through the house and foundation and into your basement. This is especially common in areas prone to flooding.
Another common cause of basement flooding is snow and ice accumulation on the roof. When the temperature rises, the snow and ice melt, and water is produced, which is carried into your basement. This is especially problematic if the gutters are clogged or the downspouts are not correctly directing the water away from your home.
What are the Risks of Basement Flooding?
Basement flooding can lead to various risks, including structural damage, mould and mildew formation, and potential health risks. Water-damaged items, such as furniture and drywall, can become damaged or destroyed, and mould can cause health issues, such as respiratory problems and allergies. Additionally, if the flooded basement is not correctly cleaned up with chemicals and dried out, it can lead to further damage and increased costs.
How to Prevent Basement Flooding
The best way to prevent basement flooding is to ensure that you have proper drainage around your home’s foundation and that your gutters and downspouts are in good condition, adequately directing drainage away from your home. Additionally, check for any leaks or cracks in your foundation, and repair them as soon as possible.
You can also consider installing one out of many types of Koshin or Foras sump pump systems in your basement. A submersible sump pump system is a device that pumps water out of your basement and away from your home. This can help to reduce the risk of basement flooding in areas prone to flooding.
Dewatering Basement
If actions from the previous paragraph have not prevented a flood, and no sump pump is equipped, act quickly to minimise damage. The first step is to shut off the electricity. This will prevent electrocution if the water has come into contact with electrical wiring.
Next, dry any furniture and other items from the flooded area. If the things are wet, you must have them professionally cleaned with chemicals and dried. You should, of course, also remove any standing water, as this can lead to mould growth.
Use a trash pump for high-efficiency basement dewatering of waste, as there are many large particles and gravel in the water. For this reason, we do not advise the use of clear water pumps for wastewater. You’ll need to disinfect the area and dry it out. Use a bleach and water solution and scrub the walls and floors. Make the site completely using fans and dehumidifiers.
What is a Trash Pump, and how to clean it?
A trash pump is a specialized pump designed to pump out wastewater that contains solids and other debris. The key difference between a Trash pump is a highly durable impeller and a volute metal alloy casing. This impeller is designed to keep debris from clogging the pump and can handle various types of solids and debris. The design of the pump’s body allows for fast deconstruction and efficient cleaning of the pump’s internal cleaning without the use of special tools. Here is a series of images on how to perform pump servicing.
Are Trash pumps self-priming and centrifugal?
All Koshin engine-driven trash and semi-trash pumps are centrifugal pumps and are self-priming. All submersible Koshin pumps are also self-priming. Koshin pumps can be found on this site.
How to Select the Right Trash Pump for Your Basement Flooding Problem
When selecting a trash pump for your basement flooding problem, it’s important to consider a few factors. First, you’ll need to determine the size and type of pump you need. Consider the size of the flooded area and the amount of water that needs to be pumped out. You’ll also need to consider the type of debris that needs to be removed.
Another essential factor to consider is the power source for the pump. Some pumps are powered by electricity, while others pump systems are powered by gasoline or diesel. Make sure to select a pump that is suitable for your project and needs and that is powerful enough to handle the job. Contact us if you have any questions.
How to Install a Trash Pump?
Installing a trash pump is a relatively simple process. First, you’ll need to select a location for the pump. It should be near the flooded area and above the waterline for non-submersible pumps.
Next, you’ll need to connect the power source to the pump. Most trash pumps rely on electricity, so you must ensure you have a power source nearby. Koshin trash pumps, on the other hand, rely on petrol fuel, meaning they can be used even if electricity is unavailable. You’ll also need to connect the pump to the water source. This is usually done with an adequately sized hose. Additionally, the suction pipe must be reinforced.
Finally, you’ll need to connect the discharge hose. This is the hose that will transport the water away from your home. Make sure that the hose is long enough to reach the designated area.
Maintenance of Trash Pumps
Maintaining your trash pump to ensure it continues to work correctly is essential. Regularly inspect the pump for signs of wear and tear, and check to make sure that all of the connections are secure. It is necessary to perform timely and regular inspections and service the engine. Please also perform a yearly change of fuel in the fuel tank.
Koshin trash pumps
Koshin is the number 1 manufacturer worldwide of high-quality trash pumps and has an extensive product portfolio which you can find on this website. It has a significant presence with customers in Germany and Europe and is considered among the highest-quality manufacturers along with Tsurumi, Honda and Wacker Neuson. They have a considerable difference in quality, product life, and reliability compared to more affordable copies. On our site, we provide advice on installation, service, components and maintenance and aim to share decades of experience and deep knowledge with our customers. Since 2023 Koshin has launched KUBOTA Diesel engine 2-inch and 3-inch trash pump for the European market.
For urgent basement dewatering we recommend you purchase: STV-50X. If you need a more reliable model, we recommend: KTH-80X.
- KTH-80X Trash water pump 3″ (80 mm)1.499,00 €
incl. 19% VAT
plus Shipping Costs
- STV-50X Trash water pump 2″ (50 mm)479,00 €
incl. 19% VAT
plus Shipping Costs
Here is a recommended range of home use and semi-professional pumps. We have all the models available in the warehouse for delivery across all of Europe within one week.
Honda Engine | Koshin Engine | |
Trash pump | KTH-50X | KTZ-50X |
Semi-trash pump | STH-50X | STV-50X |
and also, Koshin offers a wide range of pumps for professional use:
| Honda Engine | Koshin Engine |
Trash pump | KTH-80X, KTH-100X | KTZ-80X, KTH-100X |
Semi-trash pump | STH-80X, STH-100X* | STV-80X, STV-100X* |
Conclusion
Basement flooding can be a severe and costly problem. It’s essential to take proactive steps to prevent basement flooding and to know how to clean up a flooded basement quickly and safely. A trash pump can help to mitigate sewage floods, and it can be used to quickly and efficiently remove water and debris from a flooded basement if this has occurred. When selecting a trash pump, you must consider the size and type of pump you need, the power source, and the kind of debris that needs to be removed. Regularly inspecting and maintaining the trash pumps is also essential to service and ensure it works correctly.
A Koshin trash pump could be the answer if you’re looking for a quick and reliable system for your basement flooding problem. With the right pump, you can efficiently remove water and debris from your basement, reducing the risk of water damage and mould formation.