Owners whose buildings were flooded in the autumn of 2000 were far from alone. Heavy rain from early October had put rivers over their banks across much of England, from Sussex in mid October to the Severn, which reached its highest level at Worcester for more than half a century at the start of November. The season was on course to be one of the wettest ever recorded. For many owners, landlords and tenants, the water had gone down, but the real work was only beginning.
First steps once the water has gone
- Tell your insurer straight away and keep a written record of every call.
- Photograph everything before it is moved or thrown away, including the tide mark on the walls.
- Have the electrics and any gas appliances checked before they are used again.
- Remove wet carpets, furniture and stock, but keep samples if the insurer or loss adjuster asks for them.
- Do not rush to replaster or redecorate.
Why drying out takes time
Flood water soaks deep into masonry, screeds and timber floors. A wall can look dry on the surface while holding a great deal of moisture behind it. If new plaster, paint or flooring goes on too soon, the moisture is trapped, and the result can be salt staining, failed finishes and timber decay months later. Proper drying, with moisture readings taken and recorded, is part of the repair, not a delay to it.
Flood water is also rarely clean. Silt and sewage contamination can mean that more has to be stripped out than first appears, and that floor voids and wall cavities need cleaning before they are closed up again.
Reinstatement, not just repair
A good reinstatement puts the building back to its condition before the loss, using suitable materials and with the work properly specified, priced and supervised. It is also a chance to think about the next flood. Where the policy and budget allow, sensible choices such as raising electrical sockets or using finishes that tolerate water better can reduce the damage next time.
Getting the claim right
An insurer will want a clear scope of works and a fair price. A building surveyor can inspect the damage, record the drying process, prepare a specification, obtain competitive prices and agree the scope with the loss adjuster, so that the work that is needed is the work that is paid for.
See our Insurance Claims and Reinstatement service, and how we approached a later claim where two flats were dried out and reinstated after an escape of water.