Flooding can have a serious impact on a property, so it’s vital that you respond to the situation quickly and precisely.
However, if your property has been struck by flooding, it can be difficult to know how to approach the situation, or even what to do first!
Below, we’ve shared a comprehensive guide to drying out a property after a flood, alongside helpful general tips on what to do if a property is flooded.
If you have any issues with damp caused by a flood, or want to have a damp survey carried out on your property – contact the team at British Damp Proofing to book.
How to dry out a property after a flood
If left untreated (or not treated promptly) flooding can create a range of different issues, including mould, damp, rust and dry rot, alongside permanent structural damage and electrical damage.
So, by drying out a property after a flood, you can prevent further damage and halt mould growth.
1. Check that it is safe for you to enter the property
Turn off the electrical supply and gas supply to the flooded area, and wear protective clothing.
2. Ensure that no more water is entering the property
If there is a structural issue allowing more water to keep entering, then you may wish to enlist a professional.
3. Remove as much standing water as possible
This is usually done using pumps and wet/dry vacuums. However, you can also use buckets and remove the water manually (although this will take longer).
4. Remove any wet or damaged items
This includes carpets, rugs, furniture, or any other items that are permanently water-damaged. By pulling up damaged flooring, you can help the subfloor to dry significantly faster.
5. Ventilate the property
Ventilate the property, by opening windows, installing fans and dehumidifiers (if it is safe to use electricity). If required, you can help the walls to dry out by removing baseboards, and drilling small holes near the wall’s base.
6. Clean up debris and dirt
Clean and disinfect the entire area, using both a disinfectant and specific mould treatment solutions.
7. Monitor moisture levels
Continue monitoring the moisture levels of the property, and checking for signs of mould growth (then treating the mould if it does appear). You can track the humidity of the property using moisture metres, and you should aim for this level to drop below 60%.
8. Be patient
It’s important to note that drying out a property is not a short process (and often takes weeks or months). So, be patient, and keep following these steps to help keep the process as efficient as possible.
For more information on how to flood proof your property, visit the HOA – Home Owners Alliance.
Tips on what to do if your property is flooded
Facing a flooded property can easily feel overwhelming. But, by sticking to the methodology above and following these tips, you can address the issue as quickly, easily and effectively as possible.
Start Treatment
Start the treatment as quickly as possible – mould can start to grow within just 24 hours of flooding. So, the faster you start, the less damage you’ll have to treat.
Notify Insurance
Notify your insurance company as quickly as possible, and then document all the damage, including photographs and videos of the flooded area, and an inventory of all the damage.
When you remove the water damaged items, make sure you keep them (particularly electrical or expensive items) so that they can be inspected by your insurance company, if required.
For more on insurance – see can you claim damp proofing on your home insurance?
Check Electricals & Appliances
If electrical items were in the property at the time of flooding, make sure they are inspected by a professional before you attempt to use them again.
Set up Dehumidifiers & Open Windows
While dehumidifiers and open windows help speed up the process, if the flooding was significant, then you will need to use other supplemental solutions. More on this below.
Can membrane systems help limit water damage?
After flooding, the most common approach that a specialist will take is using industrial dryers and heaters to dry out the affected areas. In some instances, this can take weeks or months.
One way to accelerate this process is by installing a membrane system. This gets affixed to the masonry walls and can be re-plastered immediately.
A membrane system allows the wall behind to dry out on its own accord, and ensures your re-entry as quickly as possible. Although this process obviously has a cost, for many property owners, this cost outweighs the weeks of waiting for their property to dry out, and the cost of hiring and running the dryers and heaters (which also has a significant environmental impact).
Whilst the membrane will not make your property ‘flood proof’, it will mean that in the unfortunate instance of another flood occurring, the contaminated plaster can be removed up to the necessary height and re-instated almost immediately. Again, this significantly cuts down the cost and wait time required to re-enter the property.
If you have any further questions about how to restore a flooded property, or to enlist the help of professional damp specialists to limit water damage to your property, British Damp Proofing is on hand to help. Contact our team to book a survey.