Faced with a flooded basement? After all the rain -- and probably more on the way -- a wet-dry

Faced with a flooded basement? After all the rain -- and probably more on the way -- a wet-dry vacuum may be today's must-have appliance. Tony Mazzola, manager of the Home Depot in Frederick, Md., gave a short course in what to look for to get optimal performance out of a wet-dry vac.:
Capacity: Go for 16 gallons. "Two gallons is okay for the car; nine is a glorified DustBuster."
Horsepower: With a 2 to 6.5 range, he urges at least 6 to pull moisture from carpeting as well as bare floors.
Construction: Choose a rust-proof plastic holding tank, preferably with a smooth interior surface; ridges and bumps trap dirt and water.
Weight: Some models can be quite heavy when full of water, so move them around before buying. Commercial-grade vacs often come with wheels.
Design features: A large drain plug makes for easier emptying; a "positive-locking hose" won't pop out as you drag the vac along; an automatic shut-off keeps water out of the motor and prevents electric shock when the container is full.
Accessories: Get a rubber-squeegee, wet nozzle to pull in moisture, even if it is sold separately. Choose a machine with a micro-filter for tiny, dry construction particles.
Convertibility: Some models have an attachment that turns it into a leaf-blower. This is very popular with "Harry Homeowner and do-it-yourselfers."
Price: Many 6 horsepower models range from $79 to $139.
One bit of advice: Call ahead to check availability; lots of people have already slogged out to buy one.
Source: Washington Post