Cleaning up after a flood isn’t always easy so hiring flood cleaning services near you is a great move.
Read our comprehensive guide to finding flood cleaning specialists in your area and take the first step to restoring your home to a good condition.
How do I find the best flood cleaning services near me?
Find flood cleaning services near you from our directory of approved tradespeople.
Enter your postcode into the box below to browse a list of approved flood cleaning services near you:
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Your questions answered about flood cleaning services near you
Why are flood cleaning services important?
Every year many homes across the UK are affected by flood damage which can occur unexpectedly and cause devastating damage – financially, physically and emotionally.
Floors, walls, soft furnishings and even a building’s structure can all be affected by flood water.
Water-damaged items should be removed and dried to prevent further structural damage and minimise the risk of health hazards from contaminants and sewage.
Additionally, electrical systems can also be compromised and pose danger increasing the risk of fires.
Then once the flooded areas have been assessed flood cleaning services will:
- Remove excess water: Once flood levels have receded, specialist pumps and vacuums can extract any excess water
- Waste clearance: Remove, salvage and dispose of any flood-damaged items including flooring to help limit mould and rot
- Disinfection: Technicians can clean and sanitise premises using special disinfectants to remove contaminants and prevent mould growth
- Drying out: Dehumidifiers can quickly and effectively remove moisture to limit structural damage and mould
- Odour removal: If necessary, neutralise the smell of damp and mould with specialist equipment
How do you clear a house from flooding?
Watching your beloved home suffer damage from ravaging by water can be frightening and devastating.
As such, hiring a professional to remove the water can remove some of your stresses and worries.
Take advice from specialists before starting.
Flood water may contain harmful substances like sewage, chemicals and animal waste which could make you unwell.
If you come into contact with flood water, wash your hands thoroughly. When clearing your home after a flood always wear gloves, a face mask and sturdy footwear.
We recommend using local flood cleaning experts who can clear a flooded home efficiently and professionally.
However, before the house is cleared and cleaned, it’s important to document the flood damage for insurance claims.
- Take photos or videos of all the damage
- Keep records of all expenses
- Check with your insurance company for any other requirements you might need to make your claim
How long does it take to clean up after a flood?
The duration of flood damage clean-up can vary depending on the extent of the damage. Minor flooding may take a few days to clean up and repair.
However, more severe flooding could take weeks or even months to fully restore a property.
Factors affecting this include:
- Size of area
- Amount of water
- Repair or replace damaged possessions
- Severity of damage
- Accessibility
How long does it take to dry out a house after a flood?
Drying out a property completely can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your walls to dry completely.
As such you may be encouraged to move out of the property until your home is safe and habitable again.
Some experts recommend allowing one month for every inch of wall thickness, before moving back in.
Also, be aware of other factors that affect the drying-out period including weather conditions, the wall’s moisture concentration and the drying methods used.
The good news is that by hiring flood cleaning services near you, it is possible to get rid of the floodwater, dry out your home and get it close to the condition it was in before the flood.
What do you throw out after a flood?
Flood damage can cause great emotional and financial distress – especially when you have to throw possessions away.
It’s always wise to practice safe cleaning to ensure infectious diseases don’t spread and impact the health of your family.
Here are items that you’ll need to throw out:
- Remove and throw out drywall and insulation contaminated with floodwater or sewage
- Get rid of carpets, clothing, paper, and other absorbent materials that cannot be completely dried
- Throw out items that cannot be washed and cleaned with a bleach solution including mattresses, pillows, and stuffed toys
- Discard soft plastic and porous items which probably absorbed whatever the contaminated floodwaters carried in
- Throw out any food that has been touched by floodwaters
- Discard tinned food because there’s no way of being 100% certain the contents inside are safe
- Do not keep jars of bottled food with caps or screw-on lids – they do not keep out floodwaters
What should you never do during a flood?
The initial damage caused by a flood is not the only risk. Significantly standing floodwater can also spread infectious diseases and cause injury.
Here are some guidelines:
- Don’t drive in or through flooded areas or standing water—cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water
- Do not drink flood water, or use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, or wash or prepare food
- If you are evacuated, return to your home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do so
- Local authorities will let you know if and when your water is safe for drinking and bathing
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food and bottled water that comes or may have come into contact with floodwater
- If you use heaters or dehumidifiers to dry out your property, make sure there’s good ventilation. Never use petrol or diesel-powered generators indoors – their exhaust gases are potentially lethal
Finally, contact your local authority if you have any questions about recovering from a flood. They’ll be able to give you advice on disposing of used sandbags or damaged furniture.
How do I find the best flood cleaning services near me?
1. Use Checkatrade!
A great place to start your search is on Checkatrade. We check and approve all our members, which makes it quicker and easier for you to hire high-quality tradespeople.
You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our checks on Checkatrade.
On average our trades score 9 out of 10 on everything from workmanship and reliability to tidiness
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
2. Search reviews
Reading reviews is an excellent way to find good tradespeople. You can hire with confidence when you know what other customers think of a professional’s services.
We always check our members’ reviews, so you can trust what you see.
3. Ask for recommendations
Have friends or family used flood cleaners in the past? Ask around locally to see if anyone can recommend a reliable flood cleaning company near you.
Don’t forget to look those recommendations up on Checkatrade!
Need to hire a flood cleaning company? Enter your postcode in the box below to find approved flood cleaning services near you: