Homeowners across the country are currently weather reports to determine whether the worst of the flooding is now over.
However, once the floodwater has retreated, attention will then be turned to repairing the severe damage caused to hundreds of properties across the UK.
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Chris Rispin, technical director at Allied Surveyors, said: The risk of flooding to residential properties has increased significantly over recent years, primarily due to a combination of climate change and the increased development of new homes on flood plains. Additional evidence suggests that homeowners are not only at risk from designated flood areas but also heavy rainfall clearly evident from the devastating effects of this weeks downpour.
Many homeowners are unaware of the detail their buildings insurance and could find they are not covered by flood damage. There could be more bad news to come if homeowners do not seek professional advice early to address any structural issues which may have arisen as a result of the recent floods.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has previously suggested that insurance for properties that fall within areas subject to an increased risk of flooding may no-longer be guaranteed, so I would advise anyone who is concerned to visit the Environment Agencys website to check their homes current flood risk status and to contact their insurer before taking any action to repair their home.
Here are a series of initial steps you should take when looking to make repairs to your home.
Contact your insurer before taking any action, check that any remedial work that you plan to carry out will be covered by your insurance policy
Contact a chartered surveyor if you have any concerns about structural damage caused by floodwater, before entering the property, contact a chartered surveyor who will be able to advise if the property is structurally sound
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Get a safety check get a thorough safety check on all electricity and gas appliances before using them
Clean and disinfect once the property is safe and the water has been pumped out, the cleaning and sanitising will need to take place. Where properties have been flooded by potentially contaminated water, homeowners are advised to seek professional advice before taking any action
Allow the property to dry out before starting on any redecoration, ensure the property has fully dried out – this may take a matter of weeks or months but any redecorating that is done before walls have fully dried out will only need to be re-done at a later date
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Rispin said: For anyone who is planning to carry out the necessary repair work themselves, they must ensure that all of the mud has been removed, that the property has been cleaned and disinfected and that it has fully dried out before they consider moving back in.
The earlier action is taken to commence the drying out process the better, with the first 48 hours proving crucial. However, personal safety must be the first priority and I would strongly urge anyone whose property has suffered considerable damage and potential contamination to seek professional advice before entering the property or commencing any work.
