Flood Advice

Have you been affected by the recent floods and need to make a claim? At Chill we have a dedicated claims team ready to handle any event, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure a fair and speedy settlement. Need help or guidance on making a claim? Give us a shout on 01 4003400 or click here and we'll call you! In the meantime here is some helpful advice on making a home insurance claim and what to do in the aftermath of the flood.

Making a Claim

The key points to remember are:

• Get in touch with Chill as soon as possible
• If it is safe to do so, take any emergency action necessary to protect your property from further damage
• Please do not complete repairs until your insurer has had the opportunity to inspect the damage

10 Tips on Clearing Up After a Flood

There are a number of things to be aware of when clearing up after a flood

1. Flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste. Always wear:
   • Waterproof outerwear, including gloves
   • Wellington boots
   • A face mask
2. If your electricity supply is not already switched off at the mains, get a qualified person to do this. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
3. If you have gas or oil central heating and it has been checked by an engineer, turn it on. Keep the thermostat between 20-22 degrees centigrade for steady drying
4. You can get water out of your property using a pump and generator. Position the generator outside in the open air as generators produce carbon monoxide fumes which can kill
5. Only pump out water when flood levels outside your property start to be lower than inside. This reduces the risk of structural damage
6. Shovel mud away evenly from both sides of a wall. This stops pressure building up on one side
7. You can clean and disinfect your property using ordinary household products
8. A garden hose is useful for washing down. Do not use high-pressure hoses as they blast contaminated matter into the air
9. If you are drying your property naturally, keep doors and windows open as much as possible. If using dehumidifiers, close external doors and windows
10. Local councils usually provide skips and extra rubbish collections for items that your insurance company has agreed you can throw away