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Disaster Recovery
The HSS Guide to Flood Recovery, Drying & Restoration
September 9th 2017
As the weather takes a turn towards autumn, high winds and heavy rain have affected many parts of Britain. Should you suffer any level of flooding, here at HSS we have the kit to keep you dry – check out our range of Dryers and Dehumidifiers.
We have also put together a guide to Flood Recovery below. We hope this proves helpful and reduces the chance of long term damage in the unfortunate event of flooding:
KEY ACTION POINTS
1. Switch off power and gas supply at the mains.
In an event of a flood, if the water is coming into the property then turn the electricity supply off at the fuse box but only if its safe to do so.
2. Remove standing water.
After pumping out, extraction is the fastest and most efficient way to remove water from flooring and carpets – think of it like wringing out a rag – the tighter your twist it, the more water you’ll get out of it and the faster it will dry.
3. Open windows and doors to ventilate the house.
Airflow helps evaporation by blowing a powerful sheet of air over walls, floors, ceilings etc…literally pulling moisture out. Commercial air movers (58382) are more efficient than fans which blow air everywhere instead of across the surface that you are drying.
4. Clean and disinfect the house.
Germs spread rapidly after flooding. Thorough cleaning of surfaces, walls and especially the underside and inside of kitchen cabinets will reduce the risk of infection.
5. Dry out building.
Air movement pulls water from damp surfaces into the air and dehumidifiers (56734) capture it. This speeds up the drying process and reduces the risk of secondary damage and the spread of germs. You can also use indirect heaters to speed up the drying process.
6. Monitor progress.
Use a damp meter to track drying progress, things can be dry to touch and yet still be wet inside.
7. Maintain air quality.
Remove particles from the air to avoid odours and stains by using an floor scrubber polisher (58611).
Drying set up
Set the air movers to create a circular airflow pattern. Add the air scrubber if airbourne contaminants are present. For areas larger than 300 sq.ft, use additional air movers and dehumidifiers.
Helpful Hints
1. Record flood damage with photos to assist with insurance claims.
2. Don’t dry out photos or important documents: place them in a plastic bag and store them in the fridge until you can get them to a specialist.
3. Wash taps and let them run for a while before use.
4. Don’t panic. Contact your Citizens Advice Bureau, they will be able to advise you further.
About the Author
Lauren King
Lauren works in our Ecommerce Team, with over 6 years of experience at HSS. She brings product knowledge and is able to give her advice on the right tool for the job no matter how big or small.
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