How To Prepare Your Property For Storm And Flood Season

Autumn and winter bring heavy rain, strong winds and a higher risk of flooding. A little preparation can save a lot of stress and money. This guide gives you a simple checklist for homes and businesses.

Know your risk

Start by finding out if your area is at risk. On GOV.UK you can check your long-term flood risk and sign up for free flood warnings from the Environment Agency. Warnings can give you time to move belongings and protect your property. Also ask your neighbours and your local council about past flooding in the area.

Check the outside of your property

Most storm damage starts with small problems that were not fixed.

• Roof. Look for loose, slipped or cracked tiles and damaged flashing. Have a roofer fix them before the storms start.
• Gutters and downpipes. Clear leaves and dirt so rain can flow away. A blocked gutter can overflow and soak the wall.
• Drains and gullies. Clear any blockages. If you have a recurring problem, read why your drain is clogged.
• Walls and render. Fix cracks that let water in.
• Windows and doors. Check the seals and replace any that are worn.
• Air bricks and vents. Keep them clear, but know which ones may need covering if floodwater is coming.
• Trees and fences. Cut back loose branches and secure fences, sheds and garden furniture.

Prepare for floodwater

If you live or work in a flood-risk area:

1. Keep sandbags or flood barriers ready, or fit door guards.
2. Know where your stopcock and electricity and gas switches are, and how to turn them off.
3. Raise sockets and move key electrical items up off the floor if you can.
4. Keep important papers, photos and valuables in waterproof boxes and on high shelves.
5. Think about flood-resistant materials if you are refitting a room, such as tiles instead of carpet.
6. Keep a torch, batteries, a battery radio, a phone charger and warm clothes together in one place.

Check your insurance

Read your policy now. Make sure it covers flood and storm damage, check the limits and find out your excess. For a business, check that it covers lost income if you have to close. Keep your policy number and your insurer's contact details somewhere you can reach them if the power is out.

Make a plan

• Agree who will do what if flood warnings come.
• Decide where you will go if you have to leave.
• For a business, write a short plan for staff, stock, data and customers. Know which items you will move first.
• Store the numbers of your insurer, your landlord or property manager, and a specialist cleaning and restoration company.

Watch for leaks as well as floods

Not all water comes from the sky. Burst and leaking pipes cause a lot of damage over winter. If you find damp patches and do not know why, a leak detection survey can find hidden leaks before they cause bigger problems.

If flooding happens

Stay safe first. Do not walk or drive through floodwater. Turn off electricity at the mains only if it is safe to do so. Call your insurer and take photos of the damage. Floodwater can carry sewage and harmful bacteria, so avoid touching it.

Our flood and water damage team can remove water fast and start the drying process. We offer water extraction, flood restoration and drying programmes for homes and businesses. If you want to know what happens after a flood, read how to dry out a flooded house.

Flooded or worried about flooding?

ICE Cleaning works across the UK, day and night, 365 days a year, with a team on site within hours in an emergency. Call us on 0208 066 0360 or email contactus@icecleaning.co.uk.