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Home Advice after being flooded

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Contact the Customer Contact Centre

A flood alert means that flooding is possible. Be prepared.

Flood alert sign If you are concerned please take note of the following flood alert advice:

What to do:

Be prepared to act on your flood plan.
Prepare a flood kit of essential items.
Monitor local water levels and the flood forecast on the Environment Agency website.

If Floodwater has damaged your property the following help and advice will help you get back to normal as quickly as possible after a flood.

When floodwater recedes, it may leave a muddy deposit, as well as the distress of clearing up there may be structural damage to your property.
Remember that while sandbags help to keep water out, they will also keep it in as the water goes down.
The Yellow Pages lists details of qualified assistance such as plumbers and electricians as well as suppliers of cleaning materials and equipment. This can be found under “flood damage.”
It may be necessary to contact utility suppliers to reconnect supplies.
Always wear rubber gloves to clean surfaces or move objects that have been in contact with the floodwater - the water will have been contaminated with sewage and other pollution.
Don’t use electrical circuits or equipment exposed to flood water until checked by a qualified electrician.
Don't dispose of damaged goods until your insurers have had a chance to inspect them.
While in the property floorboards, walls etc will continue to dry out. Any loose material and dust resulting from this should be vacuumed up on a regular basis.
Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible – be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.
Contact your Doctor if you become ill after accidentally ingesting (swallowing) mud or contaminated water and tell him/her your house was flooded.
If traffic is causing waves to further flood your property contact your local Police, alternatively if flooding is being caused by a public sewer, in the first instance contact Thames Water.