What To Do If Your Business Floods Overnight

Walking into a flooded shop, office or warehouse is a shock. The first hour matters. What you do next can limit the damage, protect your claim and get you open sooner. Use these steps to stay calm and in control.

Step 1: Put safety first

• Do not go in if it is not safe. Floodwater and electricity are a deadly mix. If water is near sockets, cables or machinery, stay out.
• Turn off the power at the mains only if you can reach the switch without touching water. If you cannot, call an electrician or your power company.
• Do not wade through floodwater. It can be dirty and carry bacteria. It can also hide hazards like holes and sharp objects.
• Keep staff and customers out until the building is safe.

Step 2: Stop the source

Find out where the water is coming from. If a pipe has burst, turn off the water at the stopcock. If the water came from outside, such as heavy rain or a river, you may need to wait for it to go down. If it is a blocked drain or sewage, treat it as contaminated.

Step 3: Call your insurer

Tell your insurer as soon as you can. Ask what they need, what costs are covered and whether they have approved contractors. Many policies include cover for lost income as well as damage. Keep your policy details to hand.

Step 4: Take photos and notes

Before you move anything, take photos and video of the damage. Include the water level, damaged stock, equipment and the building itself. Write down what you find and the time. This helps your claim. Keep receipts for anything you spend.

Step 5: Protect what you can

If it is safe, move stock, files, computers and equipment to higher ground. Lift items off the floor. Do not turn on any wet equipment. Even if it looks fine, it can be dangerous.

Step 6: Tell the right people

• your landlord or property manager, if you rent
• your staff, so they know what to do
• key customers or suppliers if you cannot open

Step 7: Call a specialist

Do not leave water to dry on its own. The longer it sits, the more it spreads into floors, walls and fittings. Within a day or two, mould can start to grow. A specialist team can:

• pump out standing water with water extraction
• survey the building with moisture mapping and technical surveys
• dry the structure with building drying
• carry out full flood restoration and water damage restoration
• clean and sanitise the property after contaminated water
• treat any mould that follows flooding

If the flood water is dirty, read what is black water? to learn why it needs special care.

Why speed matters

Water damage is fastest to fix when we reach it early. Fast action can save carpets, plaster, wood floors and stock, and can cut downtime. It can also reduce the chance of mould and repair costs later.

Real examples

We have helped businesses across the UK get back to work after floods. See how we handled flood restoration services for Savills and flood restoration for Domino's Pizza.

Plan ahead

If you are reading this before a flood, take a few minutes to plan. Know where your stopcock and electrics are. Store your insurer's details and a specialist's number somewhere safe. Our guide to preparing your property for storm and flood season has a checklist. Our commercial cleaning team can also help once you are back up and running.

Business flooded overnight?

ICE Cleaning works 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 now.