If you are flooded: advice for after the event
- Take extreme care when walking through flood water.
- Do not approach any structure that may be unsafe.
- Wear gloves and boots and be aware of contaminated water with sewerage.
- Should you get a cut or receive any form of puncture wound, check with a Doctor about having a Tetanus booster.
- Contact Insurers. The sooner you can register yourself as flooded the sooner a loss adjuster & emergency clean up company will get to you. This means you will more quickly be able to get damaged carpets etc out & get your property sanitised. It is strongly advised that you do not dispose of anything until the loss adjuster has contacted you and authorised it.
- Photograph any damage including evidence of water levels both inside & outside the property.
- Keep a sample of any carpet or flooring that is being disposed of. Disaster Management companies are usually pretty good at doing this but things can get overlooked in the chaos. If there are ever any disputes over quality or invoices with the insurers this is a good way to support your claim.
- Turn off the electricity supply to the property until a qualified electrician or utility company has checked out the electrics. Use extreme caution in dealing with electricity.
- Ensure that all switches, sockets and appliances are checked prior to use, especially if they have been in contact with floodwater. Once all electrical safety checks have been made, make sure that you use a circuit breaker with any electrical equipment that you may use to clean or repair your property. Watch out for any fallen power lines and do not approach them – be aware that there is always a potential electric shock hazard.
- Turn off the gas supply to appliances that have been flooded (or where their vents/flues may have been affected).
- Make a note of the reading on your electric meter.
- Take a small notebook around with you to note down who you have spoken to, their names, who they work for, what they do, phone number, email, date and time you spoke to them, what they said.
- Always question who people are when they contact you by phone and who sent them. Things can get a little hectic post flood and it’s not always easy to understand who people are. Take your time to fully understand all that is being said to you and ask plenty of questions. Always deal only with your loss adjuster and / or the disaster recovery company appointed by your insurer.
- Beware rogue traders.
Do not fully re-occupy your property until all standing water has been removed, particularly from the underfloor area
- The Fire & Rescue Service can pump out standing water but may charge for non-emergencies.