Clean water and contaminated water
Water from a burst supply pipe or a leaking tap is clean when it first escapes, but it becomes dirty as it soaks through floors and walls. Floodwater from rivers, surface water or sewers is contaminated with sewage, chemicals and debris, and should always be treated as a health hazard.
The type of water affects what can be saved. Items soaked in contaminated floodwater – particularly carpets, underlay, mattresses and upholstered furniture – usually have to be thrown away.
Safety before you start
Turn off the power at the consumer unit if it's safe to reach without standing in water; if not, leave it to a professional. Don't use appliances that have been wet until they've been checked. Turn off the water at the stopcock if the leak is still running.
Wear waterproof gloves, boots and a mask when cleaning floodwater. Wash hands thoroughly and keep children and pets away. Cuts and grazes should be covered. Government flood guidance also advises against eating food that has been in contact with floodwater.
Contact your insurer and document everything
Call your insurer as soon as you can – many have 24-hour claim lines and send loss adjusters or appoint drying specialists. Take photos and videos of all damage before cleaning, and keep a list of damaged items. Don't throw away items until the insurer agrees, unless they're a health hazard (take photos first). Tenants should tell their landlord straight away.
Cleaning up after a flood
Once it's safe, work through these steps:
- Remove standing water with a pump or wet vacuum, then mop up
- Take out wet carpets, underlay and soft furnishings that can't be saved
- Shovel out mud and silt, then wash hard floors and walls with hot soapy water
- Disinfect hard surfaces that were in contact with floodwater, following product labels
- Wash clothing and fabrics on the hottest cycle the label allows
- Clean and disinfect kitchen surfaces, cupboards and utensils before food preparation
Get quotes from local cleaners
Drying out properly
Drying is the stage people underestimate. Walls, floors and subfloors can hold water for weeks after they look dry. Ventilate as much as possible, use dehumidifiers with doors and windows closed, and remove skirting boards or lift floor coverings if needed so air can reach hidden areas.
Professional drying companies use industrial dehumidifiers, air movers and moisture readers to dry buildings and confirm when materials are back to normal levels. Insurers usually require this before repairs and redecoration start – sealing wet walls can trap moisture and cause mould.
Preventing mould
Mould can start to grow within a day or two on damp materials. Keep drying, keep ventilating and remove anything that stays wet. If mould appears, deal with it promptly – our guide to removing mould from walls and ceilings explains the safe way – and seek professional help for large areas.
Carpets after a leak
Carpets soaked by a clean-water leak can sometimes be saved if they're dried quickly by professionals, although the underlay usually needs replacing. Carpets that have been in contaminated floodwater, or wet for more than a couple of days, generally can't be saved. A professional carpet cleaner or water damage specialist can advise. After the property is dry and repaired, a deep clean gets it ready to live in again.
