When you find that your basement has become saturated with water, its important to immediately dry it out and fix the issues. Before you can do this properly, you will need to figure out which tools to use to effectively dry out your basement. When there are deep puddles of standing water, you’ll need a pump. These can be rented from a tool rental store, or bought from a DIY store. If the water isn’t deep, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to take care of the issue. For even smaller amounts, you can use a mop and squeegee. If your basement is damp, without standing water, open the basement windows and use a fan to dry it out. The water usually damages items in the basement even if its not immediately apparent. If your basement is carpeted, you will have to remove all carpeting and underlays and throw them away. If there is drywall or paneling in the basement, remove that as well. Its a major magnet for mold and mildew problems. Don’t try to save any of it as this will lead to a moldy, mildewed basement. Take out every piece of furniture and clothing until the basement is empty. Even with the water removed, the basement will still be damp. You’ll need to run a dehumidifier to ensure its completely dry. When the basement has been dried for a week, inspect carefully for any sign of mold or mildew. Finally, you must find the leak that caused your basement to flood in the first place. This could be many things, from cracks in the foundation wall, to burst pipes and leaking washing machines. Its important to find the cause of your leak and fix it as soon as possible. If you are having trouble with any of this, Mar-flex recommends contacting DryPatrol, the water damage experts.