The process of recovering from a flood can be stressful, intrusive, hard work and confusing. In some extreme cases, it has taken up to two years for some people to move back into their homes following a flood.
Around nine months is the average time that people are out of their homes. Time away from home, often in temporary accommodation or caravans, and managing an insurance claim, and what sometimes turns into a mini construction project can take its toll on people’s wellbeing.
PFR aims to limit the impacts of the flooding and reduce the time and effort needed for recovery and repair. There are some success stories and case studies where recovery and reoccupation following a flood can happen in a matter of hours, or days – instead of months.
There is some guidance from the government on what you can do following a flood and this can be found for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People with insurance should contact their insurance company first for advice on how to proceed (see dealing with insurance). People should only return to a property if it’s safe to do so, gas or electricity should not be switched on, or used until it’s been checked by a qualified professional.
It is necessary to check with the emergency services, or those managing the flooding, to understand whether it is safe for someone to return to a previously flooded property and whether it is practical for them to continue to use or live in the property.
Unless absolutely necessary do not walk through flood water. If it is necessary avoid flowing water as 15 cm, (6 inches) of fast flowing water can knock a person over. Be careful of concealed hazards, changes in surfaces, or ground level. It may be helpful to identify obstacles.
On returning to a property check for visible signs of structural damage. If uncertain contact a RICS accredited building surveyor, or the relevant insurance company for advice. Check that the utilities (particularly electricity and gas) are switched off. It may be necessary to get a qualified person to do this.
When entering a flooded property wear waterproof clothing, gloves, thick rubber soled boots and a face mask. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with floodwater or cleaning up.
Regardless of your role in the flood recovery process be mindful of unscrupulous builders. Understandably, following a flood those impacted may want to get their life back to normal as quickly as possible with less disruption and cost. Using inexperienced contractors making bold promises they may not be able to keep could lead to bigger challenges further down the line.
Check that any contractors saying they can help are working in accordance with the Code of Practice for PFR, check that they’ve attended training on the Code of Practice, have relevant experience, where possible have certification and that they are using Kitemarked products. It may be appropriate to ask for evidence and referrals.
Beware of tradesmen that only offer a mobile phone number with no business address. If the property is insured, check to see if the tradesman is from the appropriate insurance company.
If the property is insured the policy holder should ring their insurance company as soon as they’re flooded. They will likely send a loss adjustor to the property who will assess the damage and oversee any work. The approach that the insurance company will take to repair the property, replacing fixtures and fittings and contents (furniture, appliances etc) should be clarified. Some potential questions to ask the insurer could be:
People that have been flooded should take photographs of everything from floor to ceiling in every room, also photos of any gardens and impacted buildings on the property should be taken. The height of the flood on walls should be measured and marked. A list of the damage to the property and belongings should be made – using photos where necessary. It may be useful to take note of the make, model and serial number of appliances and equipment. If the people flooded have damaged valuables and sentimental objects they should be cleaned and put in a safe place. Some items can be restored.
All correspondence including telephone, calls, letters and emails should be recorded, noting names, dates and what was agreed.
If PFR measures are present, the handover pack should be available to contractors to reduce the chance of accidental removal/stripping out of recoverable materials. It is advisable for the end-user to keep copies of all receipts and take a note of the utility meter readings as they may be able to claim for some items from the insurer.
If those flooded are a tenant and have contents insurance, contents together with fixtures and fittings should be covered. It’s normally the responsibility of the landlord to provide building insurance. However, it’s wise for the person flooded to check with their landlord and/or the insurance policy.
It is best to have appropriate insurance – they may be able to help those flooded with accommodation and the recovery process. If the flooded person is un-insured, they will most likely be responsible for covering all the costs of flood damage and finding somewhere to stay.
If the flooded person is uninsured, they could contact their local authority to see if there’s any practical or financial support available. Organisations like the National Flood Forum and the Scottish Flood Forum may also be able to advise on flood recovery, other charities like Shelter (England and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and British Red Cross may also be able to help.
See the guidance on funding.
Even if a property has been designed to be flood resilient, some cleaning, disinfection and repair may be necessary. The process of cleaning, decontamination and drying should begin as soon as the flood water begins to recede.
It will be necessary to find out whether it is safe to return to the property. When entering the property check that the utilities (particularly electricity and gas) are switched off. It may be necessary to get a qualified person to do this.
If the flooded person is insured, they should contact their insurer. If the property is rented the landlord, or agent should be contacted to enquire as to what their insurance covers for flooding.
The approach and time needed for cleaning up following a flood varies. The type of flooding, property type and construction will all influence what needs to be done. Flood water can include a variety of unpleasant and toxic substances, including sewage. Insects and rodents may have found their way into the property.
Check the weather forecast and once the floodwater level is lower outside than inside of the property floodwater can be removed, either by using a pump or a bucket. In some cases the local fire brigade may be able to advise, or help. The type of pump required will depend on the amount of water that needs to be removed and the speed this needs to be achieved. The generator, or pump should be outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Guidance from the Construction Industry Research Information Association (CIRIA) on the Standards of repair of buildings following flooding provides an overview of cleaning, decontamination and pumping of buildings. It advises that flood water should be removed in a controlled way, over several days as structural damage can be caused if floodwater is removed too quickly. It suggests that no more than 1m depth of floodwater should be removed in a day.
Once the water has been pumped out, mud, silt or other debris may be left in the property. It may be necessary to seek advice from a chartered surveyor or a builder to help remove it safely.
If those that have been flooded are undertaking any of the work themselves, they should be advised to:
The property needs to be dried out before repair work can begin. Wet items (like carpets, underlay and plasterboard) may need to be removed to let the property completely dry out. Check if the local authority can provide skips and extra rubbish collections.
Used sandbags need to be treated as contaminated waste – contact the local authority for advice on how to dispose of them.
The property will need to be dried out to prevent damp and mould. It is important that the walls, floors and other surfaces are completely dry before restoration and decorating starts. Following the clean-up and drying process keep an eye on floorboards, walls, door frames etc as some problems may only be visible over time. Properties can be dried out following a flood through ventilation, heating and dehumidifiers. Flood drying is best left to trained and experienced practitioners.
Drying effectiveness depends on the duration of the flooding, the extent of saturation, and the fabric of building and damaged materials. Building characteristics can also have a significant influence on how they should be dried, e.g., rapid drying in older properties can create cracking and damage. Some types of insulation retain water and can be very difficult to dry and should be removed, or they can cause permanent dampness.
Natural ventilation by opening windows and doors (when it’s dry, safe and secure) will allow fresh air to circulate (hopefully remove any unpleasant smells). Fans are a useful way to circulate air and draw the humid air out of a building.
If insured, the insurer should be able to provide professionals to help with the drying process and they’re likely to use industrial dehumidifiers and regularly measure damp levels. When using dehumidifiers, external windows and doors need to be closed and insurance companies may cover the running costs of the electricity required (take meter readings).
Below are some advisory bullet points from gov.uk on drying properties following a flood:
Keep or recycle as much as possible from the property. Try and set up a ‘dry area’ in an unaffected part of the property where items that seem okay can dry properly. Use furniture cleaner and a clean cloth to wipe down items and leave them to dry in the dry area so they can be returned once the clean-up is complete.
Delicate, valuable and sentimental items such as books, photographs and artwork can often be salvaged by professionals.
Not everything can be saved following a flood. Most upholstered furniture, mattresses, divan bed frames and soft furnishings such as cushions that can’t be washed will need to be disposed of due to the risk of mould or mildew.
Some wooden furniture may be used again – it depends how long it was standing in floodwater and if it’s warped or bloated. If it’s been structurally weakened, it will need to be discarded. Any electrical items that came into contact with water will need to be replaced.
Here are three key steps to ensure safety following a flood. Remember – flood water can rise fast so if in danger, or concerned about others call 999 first. Prioritise people over property and stay safe. Follow the instructions of the emergency services and those organisations managing the flood response.
