All Seasons Hire flood damage guide

An All Seasons Hire product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Feb 18, 2008

All Seasons Hire flood damage guide looks at the ways floodwaters affect your premises and the action that should be taken.

Floodwaters affect your premises in 3 ways:.

The water damages materials.

1] Plasterboard will disintegrate if it stays wet too long; wood can swell, warp, or rot; electrical parts can short out, malfunction, and cause fires or shock.

2] Mud, silt, and unknown contaminants in the water not only get everything dirty; they are also unhealthy.

3].

Dampness promotes the growth of mildew, a mould or fungus that can grow on everything.

The following steps will help you get started in dealing with these problems.

- Turn off your electrical supply until safe to switch back on.

Make sure you only use your electrical supply when advised it is safe to do so.

If in doubt contact your electricity board.

- Take photographs of the damage - room by room.

Take pictures or videos of all the damage in each room and list each item.

This will help your insurance loss adjuster and help speed up your claim.

- Sort Contents and Discard Debris.

You have 3 types of contents.

They should go to 3 different places:.

1] Garbage.

Get rid of food and anything else that could spoil or go bad immediately.

Don't let garbage build up.

Garbage piles will cause yet another health hazard by attracting animals and insects.

If your insurance adjuster has not come, tell your agent or adjuster that you need to get rid of potential health hazards.

That person will tell you how to make sure that your losses are covered.

Then throw the stuff out, preferably in sealed plastic garbage bags.

Dispose of discarded items properly.

Do not burn or bury them.

There will usually be more frequent garbage pickups after a flood.

Your local newspapers or local TV and radio stations will have announcements about trash pickup schedules and drop-off sites.

2] Things you want to save Move things you want to save to a safe, dry place, such as the second story or outside.

The longer they sit in water, the more damaged they become.

Don't leave wood furniture in the sun because it will warp as it dries.

3] Things you don't want to save Put things you don't want to save outside to dry until the adjuster comes to confirm your losses - take photos or videos start the drying out process.

Call All Seasons FREE on 0800 0828001.

We can advise you and provide: Dehumidifiers, Ventilation Fans and Carpet Dryers which can be hired or purchased and are essential as you take the next vital steps.

Lower the Humidity Everything will dry more quickly and clean more easily if you can reduce the humidity and stop the Rot and mildew.

Open up the house.

If the humidity outside is lower than it is indoors, and if the weather permits, open all the doors and windows to exchange the moist indoor air for drier outdoor air.

When temperatures drop at night, an open house is warmer and will draw moisture indoors.

Close up the house at night, and at other times when the humidity is higher outdoors.

Open closet and cabinet doors.

Remove drawers to let air circulate.

Drawers may stick because of swelling.

Don't try to force them.

Help them dry by opening up the back of the cabinet so air can get into it.

Use fans.

Fans help to move the air and dry out your home.

Do not use central air conditioning or the furnace blower if the ducts were under water.

They will blow out dirty air that might contain contaminants.

Clean or hose out the ducts first.