Flooding – What should you do when your home is flooded?
Flash flooding and heavy storms could pose a considerable threat to your home. Flood damage can quickly become catastrophic, so if you’re unfortunate enough to fall victim to it then it’s important to know what steps to take.
Flooding – While the storm is occurring
The first step is to naturally make sure all people and pets are as safe as possible. Understanding flood risks is important, especially if you live in a high flood-risk area.
If you notice flooding, there are a few things you can do, if you are able, to reduce the damage to your property:
Turn off Utilities: turn off the electricity, gas, and water supply to your home as soon as possible, providing it is safe to do so.
Move Items to Higher Ground: Important documents, electronics and valuable items should be moved to a higher ground or placed on high shelving to avoid flood water.
Use plastic bins or bags: If you can, store valuable items and documents in plastic containers or bags to reduce the risk of them becoming damaged in the flooding.
Sandbags: If you haven’t beforehand and they are available to you, place sandbags at entry points to slow the incoming flood water.
If it’s obvious the flooding is only getting worse, gather your family and pets, and get out!
After the Floods
Survey the damage
The first step, if it is safe to do so, is to check your home to establish the depth of damage the flooding has caused. Take a powerful waterproof torch with you and remember to wear waders and thick gloves, where possible, as a precaution – even clean-looking water could be contaminated by either sewage or chemicals.
Flood damage can be pervasive throughout your home, so even if it appears that only the ground floor is flooded, check upstairs too. Turn off your utilities if you didn’t get a chance before evacuating – if you’re not confident, contact your utility company for help.
Take photographs
You need to document as much of your home as possible as it stands, so take photos of everything. This includes both the property and your belongings. Don’t throw anything away just yet unless they are contaminated. it’s best to keep as much as possible until this has been seen by a representative of your insurer.
Notify your Insurer
You’ll need to notify your insurer of the flooding as soon as you can so that the claims process can begin. Your insurer may arrange for a loss adjuster to visit the property and request to see photo/video evidence of the damage. Keep a record of all your interactions with the insurer in case you need these at a future date.
If the flooding is severe you may need to arrange alternative accommodation. This may be covered by your insurer and should be mentioned during the initial call if necessary.
Get Help with your Flood Insurance Claim
If you are unfortunate enough to experience flooding in your home Aspray could help manage your entire claim on your behalf, ensuring you gain a fair settlement from your insurer and, using vetted contractors, reinstate your property to its pre-loss condition as swiftly as possible.
Aspray could even help with the clean-up process, drying out and securing of your property, and sourcing alternative accommodation so be sure to keep our number handy during times of flood warnings.
Simply contact 0800 077 6705 to speak with a member of the claims team. Lines are open 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Traumatic Flooding in Glasgow
The UK is getting wetter and wetter, and each year thousands of homes are devastated by floods. This Glasgow homeowner had her ground-floor property ruined as a result of a flash flood. As a resident since 1990, the property is of significant sentimental value and the policyholder was worried that the home would never be the same again. After a conversation with Aspray representatives, the policyholder was put at ease. Aspray took care of the entire insurance claim, and project managed the repair work with their vetted contractors. This involved getting a settlement in place from the insurance company, thoroughly drying the property, renovating and decorating. The policyholder was thrilled to see her property back to its former glory, before the flood took place.
