Living in the United Kingdom, we’re no strangers to the unpredictable weather that can sometimes result in heavy rainfall and flooding. While we hope that it never happens to us, it’s important to be prepared and know what to do if your house floods. Dealing with a flooded house can be a distressing and overwhelming experience, but by taking prompt and decisive action, you can mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.

In this post, we will guide you through the crucial steps on what to do if your house floods. Remember, your safety and well-being should always be the top priority, so before you start tackling the aftermath, ensure that you and your family are out of harm’s way. Once you are in a secure location, follow the steps outlined below to effectively deal with the situation.

Related Reading: Flood Re Scheme Explained: An Essential Guide for Homeowners

1. Ensure Your Safety

Your safety and that of your loved ones should always be paramount when faced with potentially dangerous situations like a house flood. If your house starts flooding, the best course of action is to evacuate immediately and move to higher ground. Remember, floodwater can rise rapidly and cause more damage than anticipated. It’s important to stay calm, gather any essential items quickly if safe to do so, and leave the property promptly. Attempting to stay behind or salvage items in the midst of flooding can put you at unnecessary risk.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to re-enter a flooded building unless it has been declared safe by the appropriate authorities. Buildings compromised by flooding can present numerous hazards, such as electrical shock, structural instability, or the presence of harmful debris. It’s crucial to wait for professionals to assess the situation and provide guidance on when it’s safe to return. If you find yourself in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call your local emergency services for assistance. They are trained to handle such situations and can provide you with the necessary help to ensure your safety.

2. Cut Off Utilities

In the event of a flood, one of the initial steps you can take to prevent further damage and potential hazards is to disconnect your home’s utilities. This includes turning off the main electrical power. Electricity and water are a dangerous combination that can lead to electrical shock, so it’s important to act swiftly and cut off the power source. If it’s safe to do so, locate your home’s main electrical panel and turn off all the circuit breakers. Be sure to only attempt this if the area around the panel is dry. If there’s any sign of water, don’t risk it. 

In addition to the electrical power, you should also turn off the gas supply and the main water source. A flood can potentially damage gas appliances or pipes, leading to gas leaks, which can be extremely dangerous. Similarly, shutting off the water can help prevent potential contamination of your home’s water supply. As always, exercise caution during these procedures, especially when dealing with electrical equipment. If you’re unsure or it’s not safe to perform these actions, leave them to the professionals. Remember, your safety is paramount, and possessions and property can be replaced, but lives cannot.

Related Reading: Is Storm Damage Covered by Insurance? Unravel the Facts

3. Notify Your Insurance Company

Experiencing a flood in your home can be a traumatic event, and in the aftermath, it’s essential to start the recovery process promptly. One of the first steps in this process is to contact your insurance provider. Doing so as soon as it is safe will allow you to report the flood and start the claims process without delay. Your insurance provider can provide detailed guidance on what steps to take, what information they require, and how to navigate the claim process. This will typically include a thorough documentation of the incident, an estimation of losses, and coordination with a claims adjuster.

Documentation of the incident and the resulting damage plays a crucial role in ensuring a smoother claims process. Wherever possible, take photos or videos of the damage caused by the flood. Try to capture the state of each affected room, damaged furniture, appliances, structural damage, and anything else that will provide a clear representation of the impact of the flood. Make sure these photos or videos are clear and detailed, as they will serve as a crucial piece of evidence when filing your insurance claim.

The documentation will not only support your claim but also help you keep track of the damage for your records. This can be particularly useful if you need to dispute any aspects of the claim later. Always remember, the more information and evidence you can provide to your insurance company, the better equipped they will be to evaluate your claim and compensate you accurately. It’s a stressful time, but keeping organised and systematically documenting the incident can help make the recovery process a little easier.

4. Seek Professional Help

Dealing with the aftermath of a flood can indeed be a daunting task, with several aspects to consider ranging from initial clean up to potential structural repairs. Given the scale and complexity of these tasks, it is highly advisable to seek professional assistance. There are water damage restoration companies who specialise in addressing flood-related issues. With their expertise and specialised equipment, they can provide valuable support in navigating the recovery process.

A professional water damage restoration company can efficiently handle clean up, drying, and restoration tasks. They’ll assess the extent of the damage, identify potential risks such as structural weaknesses or mould growth, and formulate an effective clean up and restoration plan. Their services typically include water extraction, drying and dehumidification, cleaning and sanitising, and finally, repair and restoration work making your property safe and habitable once again. Also, professionals can provide documentation of their work, which may be useful for insurance purposes. If you are expecting your insurance company to compensate you for these costs you need to get their prior agreement of course. 

Related Reading: Protect Your Home from Flooding

What to Do If Your House Floods in the UK FAQs

Q1: What should I do if my house is flooding?

When your property suffers a flood, the first action is to ensure everyone’s safety. Following that, if it’s safe to do so, attempt to stop the water source and preserve any unaffected belongings. Always call your home insurance provider to report the flood damage. It is helpful to document the incident thoroughly for insurance purposes.

Q2: What precautions can I take to prevent future flooding in my home?

Maintaining your home’s infrastructure and installing flood protection measures can help mitigate the risk. Regularly check your drains and gutters for blockages, and consider installing flood doors, air brick covers or a sump pump. Regular inspection of your property for potential vulnerabilities is also advised.

Q3: How can I make a claim for flood damage on my home insurance?

Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the flood incident. They will guide you through the process, which typically includes providing evidence of the damage such as photographs or videos. It’s important to never make repairs before an adjuster visits your property to assess the damage.

Q4: What steps should be taken in a water damage restoration process?

The water damage restoration process involves a few key steps. Firstly, a professional restoration company will assess the severity of the damage. They then proceed to water extraction, drying and dehumidification, cleaning and sanitising, and finally restoration and repair. 

Q5: Who should I contact if my house floods?

In the event of a flood, your first call should be to your home insurance provider. Additionally, contacting a local flood damage restoration company is recommended. They are experts in water damage repairs and can work together with your insurer to restore your home.

Q6: What health hazards can a house flood cause?

A house flood can lead to various health hazards, such as mould growth, which can cause respiratory issues. Also, contaminated flood water can pose risks including infection or disease. It’s crucial to address flood damage swiftly to prevent such hazards.

Q7: How can I protect my valuables from flood damage?

Store important documents and valuable items on higher levels of your property to protect them from potential flooding. Waterproof containers can also be used for added protection. Regularly backing up digital data can safeguard against data loss in the event of a flood.

Q8: How long does it typically take to restore a house after flooding?

The length of time to restore a house after a flood can vary based on the extent of the damage. However, typically, the drying out process takes a number of weeks. The repair and restoration phase can take several weeks to a few months. It’s best to consult with a professional restoration company for a more accurate timeline.

Q9: Is flood damage covered by standard home insurance policies?

It depends on the specifics of your policy. Most home insurance policies in the UK do include flood damage as standard, while others may require an additional premium or separate flood insurance. Always check the terms and conditions of your policy or speak with your insurance provider for clarity.

Q10: Can I live in my house during the flood restoration process?

Whether you can stay in your house during the restoration process depends on the severity of the flood damage. Minor floods may allow for continued occupancy, but extensive water damage could make your home uninhabitable until repairs are completed. Always consult with your insurer and restoration professionals to make a safe decision.

Why Frontier Flood Risk Insurance?

Flood Risk insurance is intended to protect the things you value most. Frontier offers you protection and total peace of mind through flood risk insurance that is custom designed for your specific need and circumstance. We keep things simple and clear, with no hidden fees, fixed limits or exclusions. What you see, is what you get.

Confused About Flood Risk Insurance? We Keep It Simple

We offer one product – an online self-service solution – allowing you to design your own cover that you can adjust and manage over time. We automatically see if your property may qualify for Flood Re, even if it doesn’t meet the criteria, we may still be able to provide cover including flood. We’ve simplified and personalised the wording too. Read it before you buy – it’s made especially for you.

Instant online quote

With 24-hour access, you can quote online, for an instant price based on your needs and circumstance. Our policies can cover buildings, contents and personal possessions and a variety of exceptional items.

How Flood Re works

Every insurer that offers home insurance in the UK must pay into the Flood Re Scheme. This levy raises £180m every year that they use to cover the flood risks in home insurance policies.

Flood Re works with insurers behind the scenes. When you buy home insurance cover, we can choose to pass the flood risk element of your policy to them for a fixed price.

If you make a valid claim for flooding, Frontier will pay the claim. Later on, Flood Re reimburse Frontier from the Flood Re fund.

In short, you buy your home insurance in the usual way. We cover the flood risk and that helps to keep your premium down.

Customer Reviews

Very reasonably priced and covered home business use too. I suffered damage during the storm and they were very prompt and efficient and paid very quickly so I was happy to renew. Good service.

Jim Hendry

Very good cover. Easy claims process. Renewed on a cheaper quote. I will not hesitate to recommend Frontier Insurance to cover your home.

Mark Dalumpines