Flood Damage
The summer of 2007 was probably the wettest month the United Kingdom suffered throughout its history. CGB Property
Maintenance knows only too well the destruction that flood damage can cause home and business owners alike. 2007 was the most destructive too as a series of floods and harsh weather condition splattered all over the United Kingdom. Lives were lost, properties damaged and in some areas, power and water supply were interrupted. So many citizens were left homeless. Some shopping and business centers closed. Business and homes were slightly immobilized during that tragic summer also, leaving distress and disruption accross the UK.
Nothing is safe from flood; your pets, food, valuables, important documents, car, house and definitely not your life. So always monitor the news and weather forecasts when the weather conditions indicate that flooding may be inevitable so you can prepare yourself from what is to come and activate your flood plan.
CGB Property Maintenance has the team and resources in place to react to any flood damage caused in the home or workplace no matter how large or small. Our advisors will assess the situation and implement a plan to action getting your life or work back on track as fast as possible. We can even assist you with your insurance claim, making things as easy for you as possible. If you are unfortunate and have been affected by flooding then contact us today on 0845 3882310 and let us get things back to normal for you.
Useful Information
If you do not have a flood plan yet, it is high time that you formulate one. Do not wait for a flood to occur before you formulate your defense against flood. Do not risk your property and certainly your life against nature’s wrath. The first thing to do is to determine whether the area where you live may be affected by flooding from rivers and seas. You can do this by viewing a flood map of United Kingdom which shows general areas prone to flooding and not specific properties. The flood map shows the probability that some parts in United Kingdom may experience flooding at one point each year. It does not show the severity of flooding as it depends on a variety of factors including the amount and duration of rainfall and high tide in rivers and seas.
After seeing the flood map, secure insurance for your property and find out what is covered in the insurance policy. Make sure that the insurance policy covers flooding, if it replaces your things with new ones and the repairs allowable in the policy. Make sure that all your furniture and everything of value in your property is accounted for so you will be secured that whatever might happen, your property is still safe. Then, find out how to turn off your water and power supply as well as the gas supply to prevent further damage to your properties. It is also important to prepare a flood kit containing copies of important documents, food and water supply, clothing, torch, spare batteries, radio, cellular phone with important contact numbers, and a first aid kit. If you have a baby in your family include baby food and clothing in the kit. Always make sure that this flood kit is available all the time so you will not have a hard time locating these items during flooding.
During months when rainfall is the heaviest, do not wait for flooding to occur. Move your valuables to a safe place. If it is possible, move furniture and appliances to higher grounds to keep them from getting wet. Then, when there is a dire need to evacuate, do not hesitate to do so. Bring yourself and your families to the nearest evacuation centers. If pets are admitted, bring them, too.
Measures can be applied to offer temporary protection from flood. You may put sandbags, seal bricks with plastic covers and seal windows and doors with floorboards. But remember, do not stay in the premises of your homes when the flooding becomes too dangerous. Move to evacuation centers where your safety is assured. Return to your homes only when authorities have made sure that it is safe to do so.
After the flood, do not rush to your homes yet. Make sure that the flood water has somewhat dissipated so that you can have a good look of your surroundings. You may not have died during the flood but danger still lurks in the confines of your home as sharp and deadly objects and live wires might come your way.
Your houses may be left damaged by flood waters so contact your insurance company as soon as possible so your house may be assessed; replacements and repairs may be done immediately. Cleaning up comes next.
A tedious and emotional task, cleaning up must be done whether you like it or not. Drain all the flood water in your homes, open the doors and windows to let the fresh air in, dry wet furniture and stuffs, make an inventory on which items you can still use and throw away those that would not work anymore and disinfect your home. Also, turn on water, power and gas supplies if you know how. If you don’t, please do not attempt to do so. Contact appropriate personnel to do them for you. Make your homes livable again as if no flood damaged them. And go on with your life with positive attitude.
Now that you have a flood plan, you are now ready to face flood disasters. But this time you will not be so helpless as that summer of 2007. This time, you can face such emergency with much hope and confidence.