Over the last decade, Irish weather has been changing with an increase in extreme weather events which can result in flooding and flood damage to your home. Below is our guide to help you stay safe and some tips on how you can prepare your home.
How does flood water get into my home?
Floodwater can enter your house above ground in a number of ways:
- Through doorways and windows, even when closed.
- Through gaps and around pipes and cables that pass through walls.
- Through airbricks or other ventilation openings.
- Through cracks in the brickwork, and through weathered or damaged brickwork, blocks, stone and mortar.
Below-ground floodwater can enter your house in the following ways:
- Rising up through the floors or walls of cellars or basements, in areas where the ground is made of permeable material, such as chalk, gravel or sand.
- Through drainage trenches in impermeable ground.
- Through drains and pipes leading into the house, including toilets, sinks, baths, washing machines and dishwashers.
Preparing for a flood
- There are a range of things you can do to secure your home and protect it in the event of flooding. Keep a stock of key items which can help protect your home, like plywood, plastic sheeting, sandbags, sand, bricks, blocks of wood and a saw. Use barriers, like the sandbags, to block water from entering.
- Clear your gutters, down-pipes and drains.
- Regularly inspect your property for cracks or gaps in the brickwork and floors, or around windows, doors and pipes. Check that windows and doors are watertight.
- If you live in a flood risk area, it is always a good idea to store any sentimental personal items and valuables upstairs, or above the highest possible flood level.
- Keep all important numbers in a safe place, including your bank and insurance details, and essential contacts.
- Move valuable items, like laptops, televisions, furniture and jewellery upstairs if you feel there is a risk of flooding.
- Be ready to turn off your electricity if water enters your home.
- Ensure all of your electrical devices are fully charged and that you have a torch to hand.
Does my home insurance policy cover flood damage?
Yes, your AXA home insurance policy will cover damage to your home from flooding. So, if your home is damaged by flooding, you can have peace of mind that your home is protected provided this cover is included within your policy schedule. You can check your policy document here.
What to do after a flood
Be careful when re-entering your home after a flood. Your electric and gas service should be checked by a professional before being turned on.
Here are some key things you should check:
- Ensure that the power in the property is off before you do anything.
- If you smell gas, do not turn any electrical appliances on or off.
- When entering a room, look at the ceiling for signs of cracks or bulges. Wet plaster is very heavy and can damage the structure of the property.
- If your basement is flooded, do not rush to pump it out. If the ground outside is saturated, it could create uneven pressure on the basement walls, leading to potential structural problems.
- Be careful and make sure you have help moving heavy items.
- Never enter a building with large amounts of sediment inside it or against it, as the structure may be unstable.
- Take extra care when moving around inside the property, standing water can hide a lot of hazards.
- Remove all items from the water as soon as possible and wear a protective mask if you’re asthmatic or have any other lung or respiratory conditions, as standing water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other micro-organisms.
- Remember that water can be contaminated – wash your hands with disinfectant if they come into contact with floodwater or silt debris.
Checklist for after a flood
- Make sure to record any flood damage with photographs and/or video and mark the water levels on the walls for reference.
- If your home has been flooded, it’s vital that that you call AXA’s claims team on 0345 828 2823 as soon as possible, so we can help you and assess the damage.
- Always make sure you have approval before any work is carried out.
How to clean your home after a flood
- Scrub surfaces with hot soapy water and a heavy-duty detergent.
- Dispose of soft furnishings, clothes and foodstuffs that have come into contact with floodwater.
- All food preparation surfaces need to be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected.
- Allow all cleaned surfaces to dry completely, as germs can thrive in wet conditions.
Ensure your home is fully protected by having AXA Home insurance. Get up to 35% off if you’ve been claims free for 3 years.
If you are impacted by flooding and need to report a claim, you can do so here or call our claims team on 0345 828 2823.