If you have gas or oil central heating and it has been checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat between 20-22°C for steady drying.

If you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and windows open as much as possible. If using dehumidifiers, close external doors and windows. If dehumidifiers are powered by generators, make sure generators are outside at a safe distance from building air intakes.

If you have air bricks to any under floor spaces, ensure that these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas. As floorboards and walls continue to dry out, any loose material and dust resulting from this should be vacuumed up on a regular basis.

Floors

If you are fortunate, the water will only have covered the floor, but don’t be complacent as this can still cause great problems. Even when the surface appears clean and to have dried out, you may not be aware of moisture trapped under or in the flooring materials.

Shallow flooding on stone floors can usually be treated easily but complications may occur if moisture is trapped in small voids underneath. In the case of wooden floors the threat is more obvious — residual damp in the floorboards will encourage the growth of mould and rot, which leads to structural issues.

Walls and ceilings

The problems escalate if the water rises above the level of the floor and seeps into panelling and other wall-finishes. The damage becomes worse the longer it takes to begin remedial drying. The cost implications can also be adversely affected if the wrong remedy is chosen for a structure and its materials.

Old lime-based plasterwork often dries and hardens well after flooding as it is ‘breathable’ allowing the easy evaporation of water. However, be aware moisture can affect the plaster dabs that hold a ceiling in place, so get this checked as soon as possible. You should also be aware of any potentially poisonous wallcoverings, such as lead-based paints and asbestos tiling.

Structure

Many historic building materials are breathable and will dry well if given the right conditions. Brick and granite allow little water to permeate, but sandstone can become soft after water ingress. Cob, and wattle and daub are prone to soaking water up, meaning damage can go beyond the water level.

Timber frame will warp and can split after water damage, and any residual damp can lead to rot, insect infestations and mould. You also need to be aware that metal fixings used to tie beams together or secure floorboards can rust, leading to serious structural failure.

The drying process

Drying your home out following a flood can be traumatic and extremely time consuming. Most of us are not in a position to have the time or knowledge to do this effectively. Here at Tempest Restoration, we have years of experience in dealing with flood and water damaged homes across the UK. Our state of the art machinery accompanied with our trained technicians give us a professional working knowledge of the drying process. With this knowledge we are able to stop secondary damage to a property if instructed promptly.

Here at Tempest, we undertake a risk audit and the extent of the water damage is assessed. Any freestanding water is removed and a drying method chosen.

In smaller cases, simply bringing the property to room temperature and ensuring there is good ventilation, by opening windows and doors, will remove damp and moisture. This may be aided by a dehumidifier to collect the water vapour, and fans to increase air flow. Our trained technicians are able to identify these requirements.

If you are considering doing this yourself its worth keeping in mind that over-heating the walls and floors can cause further damage, as can over-drying, so it is important to regulate the process, thats where our knowledgeable technicians come into play. Identifying the type of building structure is key to drying out a building. A key mistake in a heritage building would be to attempt to dry it out too fast — leading to warped, twisted and split timbers. A longer drying process using gentle heat is therefore advisable.

Tempest Restoration 24/7 service

FAQs

A. Here at Tempest Restoration we have been providing flood restoration services to properties across the UK. In that time we have dealt with water damage of all scales. Over the years have not only been involved in 1000's of small domestic disaster restoration claims but also major incidents from the Cumbrian floods to the Buncefield fire at the oil storage terminal in Hertfordshire. Our continuous investment in the very latest flood drying equipment and technician training enables us to handle professionally any size and scale of flood damage. Our aim is to provide a prompt, professional and reliable disaster restoration service to domestic and commercial property owners.

A. We are fully equipped to clean up flood damage after all types of flood. Over the years we have helped thousands of homeowners and businesses alike recover from Coastal flooding, River flooding, Flash flooding, Groundwater flooding and Sewer flooding. Read our guide on common types of flood water. We are able to deal with all types of water including clean water, grey water (a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to) and black water (water which contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness). Read our guide on common categories of water. Floods can be caused for many different reasons. Heavy rainfall, storm water, river flooding, coastal surges, leaking/burst pipes or human error are all typical causes of flood water in the home or business premises. The source of the ingress isn't always visible neither. Water can trace itself to a point from a large distance away from the entry source. Here at Tempest we have specialist detection equipment for trace and access on water ingression to a property.

A. Flood water can devastate a property. The damage may be imperceptibly slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface. At this point, the potential damage done to a structure that you may not have been aware of can be large in scale. Or, it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property. Whatever the cause, primary flood damage is just the beginning and you need to act fast to minimise the consequences of secondary damage. Your home is full of porous materials that absorb water like a sponge which will damage structural integrity. Water causes corrosion and damages electrical equipment which can be fatal if not identified. Residual moisture becomes water vapour throughout the building which will condense. If the water is not completely removed it can lead to dry rot and a high risk of microbial growth e.g. mould and bacteria which is damaging to your health and isnt always something visible to the naked eye like typical black mould in a bathroom.

A. After a safety assessment, we look to identify the cause of the water leak or ingress using various tools and equipment. Our experienced team of technicians will look to make a decision on the best course of action for your situation. The next stage utilises advanced water removal equipment followed by rapid drying technology and humidity control to remove the water and moisture from the property.

A. Their are many potential health risks associated with flood water. Apart from the initial potential risk of drowning, the further potential risks to your health very much depend upon the nature of the water. We are able to deal with all types of water including clean water, grey water (a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to) and black water (water which contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness). If there is any possibility of contamination DO NOT TOUCH IT, call Tempest Restoration on 0845 052 4522. Read our guide on common categories of water.

A. Every case is different and their are many factors that make up the scale of damage and repair required due to flood damage of a property. We recommend a site survey to ascertain the level of damage and repair required. Once on site, we are able to quickly advise on the best course of action to bring about the most effective recovery. Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures the remediation process will be thorough, effective and as fast as possible, returning your home or business to normality as quickly as possible. Using the latest technology and with highly experienced technicians, our aim is to complete the restoration in the best way to reduce costs and prevent secondary damage in the future.

A. Every flood is unique and as such the timescale is dependent on many variations and factors. A small scale water leak is usually quiker to repair than large scale flooding caused by a river overflowing. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will assess the damage and act fast and efficiently to provide a tailored and precise response to your properties specific requirements. The use of modern equipment, rapid drying technology and working practise means that your home or business will be safely and quickly returned to normal, minimising disruption and cost.

A. We operate across the UK with technicians available in major towns and cities. Our head office is based in Swaffham, Norfolk where we undertake all our training.

Tempest Restoration

Head Office
Unit 3 Jack Boddy Way Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7HJ

Contact Tempest Restoration

Phone: 0845 052 4522
General enquiries: info@tempestrestoration.co.uk

Legal

Tempest Restoration is registered in England and Wales, Number 03559516
Registered office: 19 King Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1HB

Tempest Restoration BDMA RIA

© 2024 | Tempest Restoration | Terms | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Contact us | Website information & help