|
|
FLOOD |
| |
|
CLEARING
UP AFTER A FLOOD |
|
| |
|
Flood
water can contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste.
Always wear: waterproof outerwear, including gloves,
wellington boots and a face mask |
|
| |
|
If
your electricity supply is not already switched off
at the mains, get a qualified
person to do this. Do not touch sources of electricity
when standing in flood water. |
|
| |
|
You
can get water out of your property using a pump and
generator. Position the generator outside in the open
air as generators produce carbon monoxide fumes which
can kill |
|
| |
|
Only
pump out water when flood levels outside your property
start to be lower than inside. This reduces the risk
of structural damage. |
|
| |
|
Shovel
mud away evenly from both sides of a wall. This stops
pressure building up on one side. |
|
| |
|
You
can clean and disinfect your property using ordinary
household products. |
|
| |
|
A
garden hose is useful for washing down. Do not use high-pressure
hoses as they blast contaminated matter into the air. |
|
| |
|
If
you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and
windows open as much as possible. If using dehumidifiers,
close external doors and windows. |
|
| |
|
If
you have gas or oil central heating and it has been
checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat
between 20-22 degrees centigrade for steady drying. |
|
| |
|
Local
councils usually provide skips and extra rubbish collections
for items that
your insurance company has agreed you can throw away. |
|
| |
|
IMPROVE
YOUR PROPERTY |
|
| |
|
There
are things you can do whilst repairing your property
that will make it easier and cheaper to clean up after
a future flood.Here are some improvements you can make: |
|
| |
|
Lay
ceramic tiles on your ground floor and use rugs instead
of fitted carpets. |
|
| |
|
Raise
the height of electrical sockets to at least 1.5 metres
above ground floor level. |
|
| |
|
Use
lime plaster instead of gypsum on walls. |
|
| |
|
Fit
stainless steel or plastic kitchens instead of chipboard
ones or have free-standing
kitchen units you can move. |
|
| |
|
Position
any main parts of a heating or ventilation system, like
a boiler, upstairs or raised well above the ground floor. |
|
| |
|
Fit
non-return valves to all drains and water inlet pipes. |
|
| |
|
Replace
wooden window frames and doors with synthetic ones.
They are easier to clean. |
|
| |
|
Important!Always
use reputable building contractors. Beware bogus trade
people calling door-to-door. Always check references
and do not pay in advance.
|
|
| |
|
Commercial
covers exclude flooding caused by the raising of the
water table. The exclusion was introduced by the market
wef 1st March 88. Attention was drawn to the issue following
press reports in 1986 following damage to some properties
in Birmingham. The market became aware that water tables
were rising and it was decided that this was an issue
for government and not insurance companies. Because
it was and is seen as a long term evolving environmental
problem and a matter of prevention rather than sudden
damage, it is not seen as an insurable risk |
|