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What to expect following a flood

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Flooding can be one of the most traumatic events that a homeowner can suffer. For many people it will be the first time they have had to deal with an insurance company. Our team of professional flood and water damage restorers have helped both residential and commercial customers across the UK return their premises to their pre-incident state. Here's what you should be aware of if your home has flooded and what you should expect to do.

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Flood restoration services

As with any damage to your home, whether its fire , flood or water damage. On a small scale or large, the effects of damage can take time to restore and can usually mean you have to leave your property for a period of time whilst repair work is undertaken.

What the emergency services will do

If there is a major flood incident, it is the police who co-ordinate the emergency services and help with the evacuation of people from their homes where necessary. The fire service is primarily responsible for saving lives, but it may also pump out floodwater (contact your local service to ask about this – there may be a charge).

The emergency services advise people to listen to local radio and TV for announcements. You should also check with your local authority for updates. If the flooding is serious, be prepared for the emergency services and your local authority to evacuate you.

If you have already flooded

The most important thing is to stay safe. Co-operate with the emergency services and evacuate your home if told to do so. Call 999 if you are in danger. Remember that the emergency services are highly trained to deal with these situations and you would do well to adhere to their safety advice. If they tell you not to enter the premises, then you should not do so. Read our guide on what's the most dangerous thing about a flood.

If your home is actually underwater it is too late to worry about saving items, but you should think about what to do once the waters start to recede. Your first step should be to call your insurance company – most have 24-hour emergency helplines. You should always inform your insurance comapny of any damage to your property. Whatever the level of floodwater in your home, you should never touch any electrics as these could potentially have been damaged by the flood water and become live. Read our guide on electrical safety after a flood

If you have lost your policy documents

Don't panic, your insurer should be able to find you on their customer database. Providing your name and address will usually be enough for them to be able to access the relevant information. Check on your insurers website or call a directory enquiry line to get their number if you don't already hav it stored in your phone. If you car is underwater you will have to call your motor insurance company as well. Keep in mind though with car insurance that you will only be able to make a claim if you have fully comprehensive cover. Follow this link to find out more information about flooded cars.

What to do next

If you are able to stay in your property but need help to prevent further damage, speak to your insurer before arranging emergency repairs and remember to keep any receipts for work done so you can claim for the cost. Where possible, take photographs to record the damage, as this could help with your claim. Any form of evidence you can provide can only help and assist with your claim.

As we have already mentioned, you should take care with your electrics. If your electricity supply is not switched off, ask a qualified person to deal with this. Do not touch sources of electricity while standing in water.

Do not throw damaged items or posessions away, even if you will need to replace them, without first checking with your insurer. Your insurance provider will almost certainly want a loss adjustor to assess the damage and work out how much your payout should be. Although it may appear that your furniture has been detroyed beyond repair, our highly trained team of furniture restorers have helped save thousand of pounds and qually as many of our customers personal posessions which often come with sentimental value attached. Use a permanent ink pen to mark how high water has risen in every room and make a list of what damage has occurred, including food touched by flood water and anything in your fridge and freezer.

Keep a note of all phone calls with your insurance company, recording the date, time, name of the person you spoke to and what was agreed. It's also recommended that you check whether the insurer will pay for the cleaning of your property, or if you are expected to do that.

If you have had to leave your property

In the first instance, you may be moved to emergency shelter by the rescue services, but after that you may need to move somewhere else while work is done renovating and restoring your home to make it habitable again. Building and contents insurance will usually include provision for alternative accommodation if the damage is so great you are unable to stay at home but you should always check your policy. If you live in an area that is likely to flood then this should be an item that you make of paramount importance when selecting your insurance provider. If you have both types of policy, you should expect that your building insurer will take care of your claim for somewhere to stay.

Most insurers will ask you to approve with them the accommodation you are moving to before your stay begins. Alternative accommodation is supposed to be in keeping with your normal lifestyle, so for most people that will mean a standard hotel or B&B, at least in the short term.

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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.

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