After a flood

Insurance, protection, flood advice

Flood water can severely damage buildings, particularly if flooding is prolonged and the water is deep. Before entering a property that has been flooded, check first for structural damage. If in any doubt, do not enter before getting expert advice from a surveyor or contact your insurance company.

Even if the flood water has subsided, be aware that there still may be hazards. These may include heavy deposits of contaminated sludge, debris and sediment. Walls and doors might suddenly collapse and heavy objects may have moved and become unstable.

• Emergency services
• Utilities
• Food
• Vermin and pests
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Drying out
• Health and safety advice
• If you have children
• If your garden floods
• Water advice
• Distraction burglaries and cold callers
• Rogue traders
• Waste disposal
• Working with your insurer

Flood fact:
An estimated five million people, living in two million homes in the UK, are at risk from flooding. In the region of 400,000 of these are considered to be at ‘high risk’
(source: ABI, September 2008)