Advice and guidance for homeowners and businesses impacted by flooding

After a couple of weeks of difficult weather, floods are once again impacting homes and businesses across Shropshire and the UK. 

Dave Williams, from The Henshalls Group, shares his advice and insights for businesses and home owners who have fallen victim to flooding or for those who fear they may be impacted in the future.

When hit by flooding, residents must take care before tackling any major clear-ups in their homes.

Dave said the current deluge of bad weather had led to many homes being affected by flood water which may never have been hit before.

“It’s vital that homeowners don’t wade straight into the water without taking proper precautions.

 

“There may be hidden dangers in the flood water like sharp objects and raised manhole covers, and it may also contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste, so you must wear waterproof clothing, gloves, boots and a face mask.

 

“Remember your electricity supply may still be switched on too – if so, don’t touch anything until a qualified person has been called to switch everything off at the mains.”

Dave warned homeowners they should only start pumping water out of their property once the flood levels outside were lower than inside, to reduce the risk of structural damage. 

“Use ordinary household products for cleaning and disinfecting your property, and a garden house is fine for washing everything down – but don’t use high pressure hoses as they will only blast contaminated matter into the air.”

Householders should also ring their buildings and insurance company as soon as possible, as in almost all cases they will want to send a loss adjuster to look at the property.

“Ask them how long it will be before the loss adjuster visits your home, and whether you should clean the property yourself or if they will get a company in to do it for you.

 

“And always make your own record of flood damage by using a permanent ink pen to mark on the wall where the water has come to, and if you can, photograph or video your damaged property.

 

“If you don’t have insurance, your local council should be able to provide information on grants or charities that may be able to help you.”

Flooding victims should not dread a visit from the loss adjusters – their support could turn out to be a real blessing, according to a Shropshire expert.

“When your business premises are affected by flooding, it’s often the practical help and advice you receive in the early days that will influence the eventual outcome of your insurance claim.”

Dave said loss adjusters would only be appointed by your insurer if the extent of the damage was so severe that an on-site investigation was needed.

“It’s in your best interest to assist the loss adjuster as they are in control of the flow of information to your insurers and can speed up the progress of your claim. They have been through the claims process before many times, and so you should try to use their knowledge and experience to your advantage.

“They will also be able to put you in contact with local specialists to help minimise the impact of the flood on your business and to help you start the recovery process.”

Dave said loss adjusters would have access to specialists who could organise for any water to be immediately removed, install equipment to reduce humidity and minimise mould damage, and reduce overall drying out times by using dehumidifiers and industrial dryers.

“If your business relies on sensitive paperwork such as corporate documents, medical records or blueprints, the adjuster will have details of companies who specialise in recovering documents damaged by water or mould.

“They may also have a network of contractors with pre-agreed rates which could help you avoid a long competitive tender process for the repair work that needs to be done.

“But remember, ultimately you know your business best, so you should consider all available claims options – maybe you’d prefer a cash settlement, or you’d like to restart your business somewhere else?

“There may be alternative ways of settling a claim, so make sure you explore all the possible solutions, and work with the loss adjusters to speed up the daunting process.”

Businesses may be totally unaware that their premises are at risk from flooding, according to latest research.

“The research by Aviva has revealed that the summer has seen the highest monthly number of commercial flood claims recorded and it was double the previous high.

“This is a growing trend, and it’s clear that business owners need to know the risks they may be facing, and that they take steps to protect their building wherever they can.”

Dave said the more than half the SMEs surveyed believed climate change would have an impact on their day-to-day operations in the next ten years, with extreme heat and flooding their biggest worries.

“And yet, despite these concerns, three quarters of businesses don’t have a business continuity plan that includes climate risks.”

“Extreme weather appears to be worsening and even though floods can not be completely avoided, there are easy and effective steps you can take to minimise any potential damage,” said Dave.

“Make sure you sign up to receive flooding alerts from the Environment Agency, and monitor local radio and media outlets to keep yourself informed of the latest situation too.

“And while flood-proofing your premises can help to keep the damage to a minimum, you must also ensure you have adequate and effective insurance cover in place so that you’re protected and ready for what is often unavoidable damage to your property.”

If you need any insurance help or advice - give our team a call today; 01952 820358.