Before going back in

Do not return until the emergency services say it is safe. Floodwater may have weakened surfaces or concealed contamination. Do not switch on gas, water or electricity until the relevant supplier or a competent engineer has checked it.

Contact your insurer promptly

Tell them what has happened and ask about emergency work, evidence, temporary accommodation and approval before stripping out or disposing of items.

Photograph the damage

If it is safe, record room views, the floodwater mark, damaged belongings and affected fittings. Keep receipts and dates of phone calls.

Be careful with contaminated water

Floodwater may contain sewage or chemicals. Follow public-health advice on protective equipment, cleaning and disposal. Keep children and pets away.

Avoid rushed permanent repairs

Wet plaster, floors and insulation may need inspection and a managed drying period. Replastering too soon risks hiding damp or creating further damage.

Plan the recovery

Ask your insurer or loss adjuster who is arranging the survey, drying, electrical checks and reinstatement. For uninsured repairs, obtain a scope of work before seeking quotes.

Before removing damaged belongings

Start by taking photographs from a safe position, including the outside water level, affected rooms and damaged fixtures. Contact the insurer before extensive clearance wherever possible, and keep a simple written record of dates, conversations and the work carried out. Avoid operating electrical equipment or entering a room if electrical safety is in doubt. Floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals, so keep children and pets away and use suitable protective equipment if you have been told it is safe to clean.

What recovery work should happen next

Once the building is safe to enter, establish where the water came from and whether it can return. Arrange for contamination to be dealt with before ordinary drying or redecorating starts. Wall bases, floor voids, fitted kitchens and insulation can remain wet when visible surfaces look better. Ask the insurer or contractor for a clear drying and repair plan with recorded checks. Retain damaged materials or photographs if the insurer needs evidence; avoid disposing of everything immediately unless it presents a safety hazard.

A safe order of work matters

Once immediate danger has passed, resist the pressure to clear everything in a single day. Check official advice before returning to the property, and avoid standing floodwater, damaged structures and any electrical equipment that might have been affected. If the electricity or gas installation was reached by water, arrange appropriate professional checks before use. Anyone dealing with contaminated items needs suitable protective measures. If the building appears unstable, do not enter until it has been assessed.

Contact your insurer or landlord as appropriate and ask how emergency works, temporary accommodation and evidence should be handled. Photograph damage and make a simple room-by-room inventory. Keep receipts for essential purchases and urgent work. Do not throw away substantial damaged items before the insurer has had a reasonable opportunity to advise, unless safety or public-health concerns require removal.

Why the reinstatement plan should be written down

The recovery may involve cleaning, removal of contaminated materials, controlled drying, checking hidden cavities, electrical inspections and eventual repairs. Each stage affects the next. Decorating a damp wall, or fitting new kitchen units over a wet floor, can create another expensive problem. Agree who is responsible for measuring the drying progress and who decides when reinstatement can begin. A realistic programme will reflect the actual construction and extent of wetting.

A written scope should distinguish urgent safety measures from permanent building work. Where water entered through a threshold, drain or low-level opening, arrange to investigate that route before spending heavily on finishes. If flooding has happened before, consider resilient materials and details that could reduce disruption next time. You need not make every decision immediately, but you do need evidence that the building is safe and ready before it is closed up.

Think about people as well as the building

A flooded home can be difficult to use for some time, even after visible water has gone. Check whether there is a safe toilet, clean drinking water, working heating and a suitable place to sleep. People with health needs or limited mobility may need accommodation earlier than others. Let the insurer know about any particular requirements when discussing temporary accommodation. Keep contractors informed about access arrangements and make sure children and pets cannot enter unsafe areas while drying equipment and repair work are in progress.

Reliable further information

For current warnings, official flood-risk maps and safety advice, use the relevant government service. This website cannot assess live conditions at your home.

Government flood guidance · National Flood Forum · Citizens Advice