Dealing with water damage
If your home should fall victim to the unpredictable British weather, the clean-up can be a lengthy and exhausting process.
Here are some top tips to help you get your house – and your insurance claim – in order.
Flooding
Always remember that personal safety is your prime concern. Don’t go into rooms with standing water if the power is still on, and don’t use electrical appliances affected by, or in contact with, moisture.
Your electrical system needs to be checked and safety confirmed before turning back on.
If the carpets in your home have been completely submerged by water they will be ruined. The best course of action is to remove them along with the underlay, and put them outside in case a valuation inspection is necessary. Similarly, sofas and other soft furnishings that have been submerged in the flood water will most likely be write-offs. Move them to the garden for later inspection too.
If you suspect the flood water to be contaminated (by sewage, for example) discard the affected items immediately. Photographs of damaged items will help with the claim.
Other floor coverings such as lino or vinyl should be removed to reveal bare floor boards or concrete – there is a danger of dry rot setting in if moisture is trapped beneath.
Kitchen units are likely to have absorbed water, but may be salvageable. Try to dry them out, and wait for an adjuster to assess the damage.
When you’ve salvaged as much furniture as possible, start the drying out process by removing a couple of floorboards at each end of affected ground-floor rooms. Aid this ventilation by opening windows and turning the heating on low. You may want to borrow or hire a dehumidifier – remember to close the windows if you use one.
Help plaster to dry by removing wall coverings and skirting boards.
General water damage – Dos and Don’ts
A burst pipe or overflowing sink is not as severe as a flash-flood, but it can still wreak havoc in your home. Here are some more general tips for dealing with water damage.
Do
- Turn off the water and central heating, and switch off the electricity if you can do so without standing in a damp place.
- Remove as much water as possible by blotting with towels or mopping, and wipe furniture dry.
- Air the house with fans – but only once the electrics have been checked. Open windows to allow a through draft.
- Move photos, paintings or other fine objects to a safe location.
- Remove any damp books from shelves and open to dry.
- Open doors and drawers on furniture.
Don't
- Use electrical appliances on a wet carpet or in a wet room.
- Go into rooms with standing water if the power is still on.
- Lift carpets. Doing this incorrectly could increase shrinkage - seek professional advice.
Storm damage
Personal safety comes first – only carry out an assessment of your home if it’s safe to do so.
Don’t use any electrical items that have been affected by water.
When possible take photographs of the damage.
If emergency repairs are necessary, make sure they are undertaken straight away, and ensure that the property is secured as soon as possible. Keep all estimates and receipts!
For further advice call the domestic helpline number below.
Claims procedure:
You may wish to advise your claim to your local NFU Mutual Agent's office as normal.
If you are in need of urgent help please ring the 24 hour domestic emergency helpline 0800 282652.
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