After a flooding incident

The following advice will help you get back to normal as quickly as possible after a flood. When floodwater recedes, it may leave a muddy deposit. As well as the distress of clearing up there may be structural damage to your property.

• Remember that while sandbags help to keep water out, they will also keep it in as the water goes down.
• Local telephone directories list details of qualified assistance such as plumbers and electricians as well as suppliers of cleaning materials and equipment. This can be found under "flood damage"
• It may be necessary to contact utility suppliers to reconnect supplies
• Always wear rubber gloves to clean surfaces or move objects that have been in contact with the floodwater - the water will have been contaminated with sewage and other pollution
• Don't use electrical circuits or equipment exposed to flood water until checked by a qualified electrician
• Dispose of damaged goods until your insurers have had a chance to inspect them

Practical advice on recovering from a flood is available to download.

Cleaning Up

Do not re-enter your house until all floodwater has been removed. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service may be able to help you with pumping floodwater out of your house. Remember others may also need this help so you may have to wait your turn. Remember there is no point pumping out rising water it will come straight back in!

If traffic is causing waves to further flood your property contact Merseyside Police, alternatively if flooding is being caused by a public sewer, in the first instance contact United Utilities.

It is also recommended the following measures are taken:

• Ventilate your building after flooding - less damp is less damage. Did you know it takes a house brick about one month per inch to dry out?
• Put on protective clothing before starting any clean-up.
• Remove all soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair.
• Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
• Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water.
• Use a domestic disinfectant (following manufacturer's directions as to concentrations) to wash over all hard surfaces after cleaning.
• Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys etc should be laundered at the highest temperature as indicated on manufacturer's instructions.
• Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be put in a washing machine will have to be professionally cleaned or if this is not possible may have to be disposed of.
• Seek advice from Wirral Council Environmental Health Services on clearing up if you have any doubts about it.
• Seek professional advice if your property is damaged.

If floodwater has damaged your property

If you are the property owner and insured, your insurers will most probably appoint a structural engineer or loss adjuster to carry out an assessment of your property and arrange repairs. If you are uninsured you may have to arrange this yourself. If you are a tenant, you may be responsible for the repairs, depending on your property owner. Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for further advice.

If your home is uninhabitable, and you are insured your insurers may help you arrange emergency accommodation, if you are uninsured or a tenant and are made homeless in an emergency, contact Wirral Council, Neighbourhood Services.

Reducing the Risk of Infection

General advice on protecting health following flooding and sewage contamination of the environment:

• Do not use food which the floodwater has reached. It may be contaminated.
• Any utensils which have been in the floodwater must be cleaned and boiled in fresh water before use
• Experience from previous flooding has shown that any risk to health is small. You do not need any booster immunisations or antibiotics.
• Floodwater and sewage often leaves a muddy deposit that may contain bacteria and other micro-organisms. Most will be harmless but some of these germs may cause gastroenteritis (tummy upset) if ingested.
• If anyone in your family does become ill you should deal with it in the way you normally would.
• Use protective clothing such as wellington boots and household rubber gloves if involved in the clean up to minimise the risk of infection. Cover any cuts with waterproof plaster. The single most important precaution is washing your hands after any contact with flood water or sludge and particularly before eating or preparing food.

Gardens and Play Areas

Do not let young children play on affected areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their normal condition.

Garden Vegetable Produce

Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by sewerage or floodwater. Although any health risk is small, it is better to dispose of any contaminated produce and start again.

More information is provided by the Environment Agency, providing advice and information on what to do in the event of a flood.