Help now at hand if your home has been damaged by floods
Question: My home was flooded last year in the winter storms. I’ve taken measures, so it hopefully won’t happen again, but how best to clean up and not lose too many possessions if it happens again?
Answer: Flooding in the UK is becoming more commonplace with the average insurance claim around £50,000.
Fortunately, the UK Government started an initiative which insurers have signed up to called “build back better” that offers people who have claimed for a flood an extra £10,000 on their insurance claim to install property flood resilience measures when they’re repairing their homes after flooding, such as solid floors instead of carpets.
Cleaning up after the devastation of a flood can take up to twelve months but breaking it down will make it feel less overwhelming.
In the days after the flood, make sure it’s safe for you to return to your property. Check the weather forecast in case more rain is on the way.
Once you’re given the all clear to get back inside, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 to see if they’re active in your area. Next, contact your insurance company. You can’t take too many pictures or videos so get both. Don’t use any gas or electricity until both have been checked by an expert, the same goes for heating and water systems.
Wear protective clothing. With rising water levels come rodents and bugs. Wash hands regularly and don’t eat any food
that’s touched flood water. If your electricity has been off for days, you’ll need to ditch everything in the fridge and freezer.
The fire brigade may help get rid of sitting water, but if not you can rent a water pump and generator. Consider going in with a neighbour to lessen the cost and make sure the generator isn’t in the house to avoid carbon monoxide fumes. Keep windows and doors open
Once the water is gone, using a dehumidifier is key to prevent mould. Your insurer may cover the cost and check whether they’ll pay for the electric use as that can get expensive. When you’re able to, put the heating on low, you want to deep dry your property. Try and salvage what you can but it’s rare that carpets can be saved.
Set up two zones, one for items that can be saved and one for items that can’t. Give each salvageable item a full disinfectant clean before placing somewhere dry. Most soft furnishings like mattresses can’t be saved and neither can most electrical items that came into contact with flood water.
For big items like dishwashers and washing machines get them assessed by an electrician to know which zone they need to go into.
Walls and hard surfaces need disinfectant, clothing, bedding that can be saved and curtains and teddies all need to be washed above 60 degrees Celsius to remove bacteria.
Finally, seek support. The National Flood Forum has community groups, your local Facebook pages might be offering help and your local council may be offering financial aid.