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HSS Hire: A Guide to Flood Recovery & Prevention

Every year, roughly 2.4 million UK houses are affected by fluvial (river) floods and coastal flooding.

As a result, flood damage restoration is necessary in parts of the UK on a yearly basis due to devastating floods. Natural catastrophes have impacted many individuals and companies around the country, causing hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in damage to their homes, workplaces, and warehouses.

It is also a common misconception that flooding may only occur in low-lying areas and residential communities by the sea or river. One in every six homes in the United Kingdom is at danger of flooding. This may appear to be a concerning amount, especially given that floods may occur in a variety of ways.

Flooding has a range of consequences on homes around the UK. As climate change modifies weather patterns, more regions of the UK are anticipated to be at danger of flooding in the future. Flooding should be understood by homeowners and business owners, as well as what causes it and what they can do to limit its effects.

an image of a flooded neighborhood in london

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk...

In this guide, we will walk you through the following:

  • Common causes of flooding in homes and businesses
  • How to Evaluate Your Flood Risk
  • Three ways flood damage might harm your property
  • What measures can you take to make your property flood-resistant?
  • Flood recovery: Hiring flood recovery equipment

HSS Hire is here to help when floods occur, appliances fail, or pipes burst. When a catastrophe happens, our expert and high-quality equipment is ready to assist you in removing excess water and recovering from the damage. We also provide timely delivery and extended rental periods, so that you may use the equipment you want when you need it the most.

an image of a hss hire banner outside builders merchant

@alloway_timber

Common causes homeowner and business premise flooring

Broken Pipes

Heavy objects falling on them or harsh handling during building or remodelling operations can cause broken pipes. Check for water running down the wall near the pipe or beneath a sink or tub if you fear a pipe has broken. Water may also be seen leaking from beneath the floor. It is important to inspect your pipes on a regular basis and be aware of their location outside of the property.

Clogged Drains

Flooding in your house can also be caused by a clogged drain. If your drain is clogged, you may see water backing up into sinks and tubs after they have been used, especially if they are near toilets or showers. Standing water may also be found in toilets, baths, and sinks after they have been used. Using drain guards in kitchen sinks and a metal mesh drain screen where appropriate can assist to avoid clogging.

Clogged Gutters

A clogged gutter can cause leaks under the roof and ultimately into your home's walls. When gutters get clogged with leaves or other debris, rainfall collects in them rather than flowing away from the home via downspouts and drains at the base of each wall. Gutter cleaning should be done on a regular basis to guarantee that water is constantly directed away from your property.

Broken Appliances

If your washing machine, refrigerator, or dishwasher isn't operating properly, water might overflow and flood your kitchen. Improper installation or defective wiring might lead to damaged equipment. It's critical to inspect these appliances on a regular basis to ensure they're in good operating order and aren't leaking. Flooding can occur if a pipe is left neglected or is broken.

Foundation damage

One of the most common causes of flooding in a home is foundation damage. This might happen if there is too much water surrounding your property or if your foundation walls have cracks that enable water to pour through. If this happens to your house, foundation repair is vital to avoiding severe flooding. It is advised that everyone living in a high risk location investigates foundation damage prior to severe weather, since this helps to prepare for unexpected events.

an image of house gutter filled with yellow leaves

How to assess your flood risk

Flooding is unpredictable, but there are actions you can take to determine your level of risk and effectively prepare for these hazardous conditions.

Homeowners and business owners, for example, may easily determine their risk by entering their postcode into the government's  Flood Warnings in England page. Flood planning maps illustrate where flooding is expected to occur, allowing you to estimate your risk and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your home.

Flood planning maps often estimate risk based on a variety of criteria, including:

  • Based on historical flooding, the chance of flooding in your location
  • The type and volume of water that might be present in the event of floods (e.g how much rain will fall in a short period)
  • The kind and location of buildings in your neighborhood (e.g., whether they are built on soft or hard ground)
  • Your location with relation to rivers and other bodies of water (e.g whether there is a nearby riverbank)

an image of a screenshot of the gov website flood warnings

https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/news/9929-uk-flooding-prepare-act-survive-what-to-do-in-a-flood-and-how-to-prepare

Even if you know your house is at risk of flooding, your local council's interactive maps or data may not solve the fundamental concerns. You may ask a flooding expert questions such, "Where will the water come from?" What are the chances of floods in the area? How can I keep my house safe?”

Finally, there are precautions you can take to protect and prevent your property from extreme weather events.

an image of terraced houses with water flooded up to the door

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-...

Three ways flood damage may impact your house or company

Flooding may be catastrophic to your house or company. It can cause water damage and mould, as well as structural damage and loss of goods. As you can expect, these difficulties are not only expensive, but also extremely annoying and time-consuming to resolve.

Depending on the sort of flood and the height of the waters, flood damage can harm your house or company in a variety of ways:

    Damage to electrics

    One of the most serious consequences of a storm is flood intrusion into electrics. Because of the potentially fatal mix of water and electricity, this problem must be addressed as soon as possible. A competent electrician will need to replace any exposed plug sockets and wiring. Metals oxidise at a considerably higher rate when exposed to water than when exposed to air. If the water includes contaminants, salts might accelerate oxidation.

    The first step in cleaning up after a flood is to turn off the electricity at all outlets in your home. This entails disconnecting anything from power sources before beginning work on any portion of your home that may have been flooded (even if it seems dry).

    Damage to foundation and structure

    If floodwater sits in a structure for an extended amount of time, it will begin to corrode the materials. Water will remain in a structure for a long time after a flood has passed unless moisture management equipment and large power fans are used promptly to dry it out.

    Floods can also cause structural damage by pressing on the foundation and basement of a structure. Even if the flood was not high enough to reach your home, the ground outside might remain wet for days if you do not mop up any flood water immediately. Under the strain of this water, the foundation or basement walls of a building may break or collapse.

    Damage to furniture

    Floodwaters can infect and ruin soft furniture and carpets for good. Furthermore, the risk of mould and mildew, as well as the accumulation of bacteria, demands the restoration of damaged furniture. Certain furniture may be recoverable with intensive professional cleaning; nevertheless, some things may cost more to rescue than to replace. Chipboard furniture will quickly absorb water, but plastic and solid wood objects may remain intact after being completely cleaned and dried.


    an image of sandbags used to protect homes from floods

    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uk-environment-agency-stockpile-the-new-hesco-flood-barrier-300331356.html

    Flood prevention: What steps can you take to make your property flood-resistant?

    There are various methods to make your property flood-resistant, but one of the most essential things to remember is that you should never put off thinking about these things until a flood occurs.

    If you live in a flood-prone location, you should take precautions as soon as possible to protect yourself and your family from being caught off guard.

    Flood Resistance

    Flood resistance refers to the efforts you may take to keep flood from entering your home. Among the suggestions are:

    • When the flood risk is high, install detachable barriers to windows and doors
    • Sealing any windows and inspecting the brickwork for cracks (these should be filled in)
    • Install one-way valves in drainage lines and toilets to reduce the possibility of sewage backing up into the home Flood Resilience

      Flood resilience involves protecting a property's interior if flood does enter. This can be done in a variety of ways, including:

      • TVs mounted on the wall and connections placed high up the walls
      • Putting up high shelves to safeguard decorations and things
      • UPVC frames being used to replace existing wooden window frames.
      • Laying down stone or ceramic tiles to protect the flooring

    an image of hss hire pump used for floods

    https://www.hss.com/hire/p/puddle-sweeper-pump

    Flood recovery: Hiring flood recovery equipment

    If you find yourself in an emergency due to severe rain or other sources of flooding, you must act quickly to minimise damage and protect safety. To remove the affected area, you'll also need fast access to pumping and drying facilities.

    If there is an urgent threat and risk to life, you should always notify emergency services before taking any action.

    an image of a hss hire lorry in blue and yellow

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hilifta/42627966420


    Step 1. Clear and the affected area

    If your home has been flooded, you must act quickly to minimise damage and quickly dry out your property. There are a few things you can do right away to help reduce the length of time it takes for your house to dry out and the risk of electronic fires.

    First, make sure that all devices in your home are completely unplugged before submerging them in water. This includes televisions, laptops, and other major equipment. If any of these things are plugged in while submerged in water, they may be damaged or short-circuit due to moisture exposure.

    Step 2. Remove standing water with a water pump

    If there is a flood, you should hire a submersible pump.

    HSS offers a variety of water pumps to meet a variety of applications . From low water levels to high debris-filled water levels. Sump pumps are excellent in dealing with groundwater floods and high water levels. Submersible pumps are made to be immersed in water and have a high flow rate (the pace at which it shifts water away). Sump pumps can be permanently placed in high-risk areas to provide extra peace of mind.

    Step 3. Ventilate and dry the area

    The next stage in flood restoration is to dry out the affected area with additional drying equipment. Hiring an air mover (carpet drier) and dehumidifier will save drying time dramatically.

    HSS can provide you with drying equipment to dry floor-level wetness. An air mover can dry carpets, wallpaper, and hard floors; this process is quicker and more effective when a dehumidifier is used in conjunction with the air fan.

    an image of a hss hire water pump and carpet

    HSS Hire

    Hire a complete drying pack from HSS for effective flood recovery

    Floods can be disastrous. Even if you are fortunate enough to have just little damage, you will need to spend a significant amount of time cleaning up and drying out your property. That is why HSS provides full drying packets for optimal flood recovery.

    Each set includes a pump dehumidifier and an air mover, giving you the ideal combination for maximum performance and efficiency. Our pump dehumidifiers are designed to remove water from your basement or other low-lying locations where water has accumulated following a flood. They function quickly and efficiently, pushing water out from the building via the provided hose.

    Our air movers feature a strong three-speed setting that removes moisture from carpets, walls, and staircases swiftly.

    When faced with a potentially disastrous circumstance, such as floods, look to HSS for everything you need to get back on track.

    If you have any more questions regarding HSS Hire or would just like to speak to one of our team members, you can visit your local Howarth branch, or call our customer service team on the number 01472 907051.

2nd Nov 2022 Emily Green

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