Health & Safety advice if your home has been flooded
Flood water may be polluted with sewage, which may be a health risk. In the event of flooding we suggest you do the following:
- Cover any open cuts or wounds on your skin with a waterproof plaster.
- Contact your insurance company before throwing anything away. Make a list of all damaged goods - including food. Take photos/videos if possible.
Cleaning up flooded areas of the house
- Remove soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair.
- Remove dirty water and silt - the space under downstairs floorboards may need to be pumped out.
- Wash down hard surfaces with hot soapy water several times until it looks clean. Use a domestic disinfectant to wash hard surfaces after cleaning.
- Food preparation surfaces, storage cupboards, refrigerators etc. should be washed down with food safe disinfectants - such as Milton or Dettox.
- Crockery, pots and pans should be washed in hot soapy water, then with a food safe disinfectant. Throw away any that are badly chipped or damaged.
- Make sure water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them again.
- Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys etc should be laundered on a hot wash (60°C and above), professionally cleaned or thrown away.
- If the flood water contained oil or diesel, you may need to use a detergent.
Drying out properly
- Use heat, good ventilation and possibly a dehumidifier.
- Make sure air bricks under the floor are unblocked.
- Once they are dry, floorboards and walls should be vacuumed regularly to remove any loose material and dust.
Drying out may take some weeks. Leave windows open, but be careful about security.
Food preparation, storage and disposal
- Do not put food on damaged work tops or into the fridge until its been cleaned.
- Try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
- Don't try and salvage damaged food - including tins - which may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals.
- Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by floodwater. Leave undamaged vegetables in the ground for at least another 2 weeks. Only use them after thorough washing and cooking.
- Take particular care in preparing food. Always wash your hands before starting.
- Put flood damaged food out with your next refuse collection.
Other health & safety issues
- If you follow this advice you should not have any health problems. But the 'stress' caused by the flooding may make you feel unwell. If you are concerned - visit your Doctor.
- If you accidentally swallow mud or contaminated water and you become ill, contact your doctor and tell him your house was flooded.
- Don't let very young children play on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors until checked by a competent specialist, in case of sharp or raised edges.
- Don't switch on electrical appliances which have been in contact with the flood water until a competent electrician has checked them.
- Replace manhole covers dislodged by the flood.
Help for vulnerable and elderly people may be available from |Surrey Social Care.
Additional repair work
- Repair work identified by your insurers or builder may have to wait until after the property has properly dried out. Badly affected plaster walls and partitions may have to be removed or re-plastered. Otherwise redecoration of sound walls may be all that is required.
- Any areas showing signs of mould should be treated. Fungicidal products are available from DIY Stores.
- After about six months check timber floors for any evidence of rot or shrinkage. Any necessary repair work can then be made.
- Fitted units, particularly in the kitchen, may be damaged beyond repair by absorbed water. Sanitisation of these is difficult and they may have to be replaced.
- Check for structural damage to your property. If you think there is damage or danger seek advice from your insurers, builder or Building Control Officer.
- Some repair work may be eligible for financial assistance. Contact the Housing Division's |Private Sector Housing for further information.
- Sandbags for flood protection can be purchased from most Builders Merchants.
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