How to protect your home or business from water damage
What are the types of water damage?
As previously mentioned, there are many different types of water damage that a property may experience. Some are caused by poorly maintained plumbing in your property, whilst others are as a result of natural occurrences that cannot be stopped but can be protected against.
A flood caused by weather, such as heavy rain causing drains to overflow or a river bursting its banks, can be extreme causes of flooding. More everyday reasons include burst water tanks and leaking or burst water pipes. You may also experience sewage backup in a toilet or sink. All of these forms of flooding can cause serious damage to your property.
If you are concerned about any water damage within your property, give Navig8 Restoration a call today on 0800 285 1447.
Building insurance
One of the most important parts of owning or renting a home or business is having building insurance. This can help to protect you in a number of different scenarios, with flooding being just one of these. Building insurance will cover the cost of water damage caused to your property’s structure.
There are some situations that are generally covered under a building insurance policy, such as loss or damage caused by fire, vandalism, storms, theft, floods, and natural disasters such as earthquakes – though this will depend largely on your provider. The amount of cover you receive will also vary.
Make sure that you have building insurance that covers everything you need and check your insurance policy before damage occurs in order to ensure you are fully covered. If you don’t, you could be left with a big bill after a flood or similar event.
How can I mitigate or prevent water damage?
Locate stopcocks
Floods can happen at any time and for many reasons, so knowing how to stop the flow of water quickly is vital. A stopcock controls the flow of water to your home or business, so knowing where yours is, is very important. In most homes, these are under the kitchen sink, but they may be in different locations – so double check this. You should also test your stopcock to ensure that it is working. This can prevent you from finding a faulty stopcock at the worst moment and being unable to stop the flow of water.
Check pipes
Your pipes are the heart of your plumbing system, so you should make sure to check them regularly. If you notice a noise in your walls (normally a knocking noise – known as a water hammer) or a shrill singing sound, then this can point to damaged pipes. Other indicators might be water not flowing as strongly. If your pipes are not performing as normal, then getting a professional plumber to check them is a good idea. You can, of course, check your own pipes to see if they are cracked or leaking, which will need to be remedied by a professiona. This will help to prevent flooding, as well as preventing additional pressure on the rest of your pipework and plumbing system.
Toilets and sinks
One major cause of plumbing issues that lead to flooding can be as simple as backed up toilets and sinks. Whether you are at home or at work, being careful with how you use your toilets and sinks can help to prevent this – and this should also be applied to shower and bath drains.
Toilets should only ever be used for organic waste and a reasonable amount of toilet paper. For example, you should never flush sanitary products, an excess of toilet paper or makeup remover wipes down your toilet.
Similarly, sinks should not be used for disposing of food or cooking oil and grease. These can lead to a build up in your pipes, and in extreme circumstances can cause sewage back up further down the plumbing system. This can lead to water not being able to move through your pipes and can cause flooding very quickly – so caution exercised ahead of time is the best prevention.
How can I prevent frozen pipes?
Frozen pipes are a common occurrence in winter. You may notice pipes have frozen if there is no water coming from your faucets, there is frost on the outside of the pipes, or you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your drains even with no other notable signs. Dropping temperatures can cause water to freeze inside your pipes – as water freezes, it can expand, causing the pipes to crack and burst.
While you cannot prevent cold weather from occurring, you can make sure that your pipes have been properly laid and insulated. This can help to project them from dropped temperatures. You should also keep your heating on even if you are away from your home or business, as keeping your heating on low keeps your pipes warm enough to prevent the water from freezing.
Another easy way to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting is turning your taps on regularly throughout the day – this keeps the water moving rather than standing and becoming frozen in low temperatures.
What about flooded basements?
Having a basement in your property can be a great place for storage or even converting into a usable room. However, basements are prone to flooding as they are below your property. Common causes of basement flooding can be flash flooding and groundwater flooding. Other causes may include your home or business having poor drainage overall, causing the water to run to the lowest point of the property. Sewage backups often impact basements first.
In order to prevent basement flooding as much as possible, it is important to check your foundation. You will be able to find out if any cracks are present and have them repaired. You should also clean your roof gutters regularly in order to make sure that they do not overflow in bad weather. It may also be advisable to speak to a plumber about installing a sump pump to reduce the risk of flooding even further. Preventing flooding in a basement is easier than it is to clean up afterwards, so checking these elements of your basement can save you a lot of hassle and money in the future.
Flooding may not always be preventable, however with these considerations in mind, you can reduce the chances of both the occurrence and the damage if flooding occurs. If you need support with water damage restoration, Navig8 Restoration can help. We are experts in water damage remediation and can support you in getting your home or business back to its best after even significant water damage, no matter the cause. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.
If you are concerned about any water damage within your property, give Navig8 Restoration a call today on 0800 285 1447.
How to Prevent Condensation, Damp and Mould in your Home
Damp and mould caused by condensation
Condensation in the home is a common issue. If a home has high humidity levels or when warm air hits a cold surface, condensation will form. If the condensation isn’t removed it can lead to damp and mould growth.
In this article we will explore some of the things you can do to reduce condensation in your home. It is important to note, however, that damp and mould can be caused by a number of different reasons. If you have an underlying issue, such as leaking pipes or rising damp then it is important you seek advice from professionals.
Why is mould harmful?
Mould is a microscopic fungus which grows in damp and poorly ventilated areas. If mould spores are touched or inhaled they can be harmful to your health.
Mould can affect your immune system. It can cause respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma.
It is more dangerous for the very young, the elderly, those with underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems.
Further information from the NHS on how mould can affect your health can be found here.
Signs which may indicate you have a problem in your home
- A musty smell
- Peeling paint and wallpaper
- Dark, damp patches on the walls
- Walls, floors and ceilings that feel cold or wet
- Excessive condensation on windows
- Mould growth on walls, floors and ceilings
Tips on how to reduce condensation in your property
Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate
Our top tip is to ensure your home is well ventilated. Open a window or door during the day to allow moisture to escape.
Washing machines and tumble dryers
Always ensure washing machines and tumble dryers are installed correctly and are properly ventilated.
Drying clothes indoors
During winter months or in homes with no outdoor space, there is sometimes no choice but to dry clothes indoors. If you need to do this, ensure the room you dry the clothes in is well ventilated. So enables the moisture released into the air to escape from the room.
Bathroom extractor fan
Ensure your bathroom extractor fan is turned on when you bathe or shower. Keep the extractor fan on for at least 10 minutes after you have finished. Keep the door closed to prevent moisture from travelling through your home. If you do not have an extractor fan fitted, ensure a window is left open to help clear the air.
Kitchen extractor fan
Ensure your kitchen extractor fan is turned on when you are cooking and for at least 10 minutes after. It is also important to check it has been installed and vented correctly. If you do not have an extractor fan, open a window or a door to help clear the air.
Fish Tanks
Ensure your fish tank is covered with a lid to prevent it from creating unwanted moisture in your home.
Plants can contribute to excess moisture in your home
Whilst they have a lot of benefits, they can contribute to excessive moisture in your home. You may want to consider if too many plants in your home are adding to the issue.
Remove condensation
If you can see condensation has settled on walls and windows, ensure it is wiped away as quickly as possible.
Ensure wardrobes and cupboards are not overfilled
Trapped warm air with no ventilation can cause damp and mould growth.
Be mindful of where furniture is positioned
Do not push furniture up against walls as this prevents air from being able to move around it. Also, rooms crammed with contents can prevent air movement, causing damp air to become trapped. This is the reason why sometimes when furniture is moved, a build up of mould can be found behind it.
Continuous central heating
Instead of having your heating on a timer, it is more practical to have it on continuously. We would suggest using a lower temperature.
Install double glazing and loft and wall insulation
This will help prevent air from escaping and keep walls and other surfaces in your home at a higher temperature.
Speak to a professional
Are you concerned about condensation, damp or mould in your property? Do you feel that the tips above are not enough to help with the problem? We would suggest calling a professional to further investigate other causations. Navig8 Restoration provides comprehensive damp and moisture surveys and mould remediation services.
Navig8 Restoration has recently dealt with mould remediation in a London apartment. Details of this can be found in our recent case study. As well as remediating the mould, Navig8 Restoration also identified reasons why the apartment had excessive moisture.
If you have any concerns about excess moisture in your home call us today on 0800 285 1447
Flash Floods – Damage Prevention Tips
What are flash floods?
Flash floods, as the name would suggest, happen very quickly with very little warning. They are caused by intense rainfall which falls so quickly it becomes too much for our drains and sewers to cope.
Flash floods can be worse following extremely hot weather, as this causes the ground to dry out and become incredibly hard and therefore isn’t able to soak up the fast falling rain water. This makes flash flooding more common in areas like cities, where there are a lot of hard surfaces, such as roads, pavements and paved gardens.
During flash floods, drains can quickly overflow, taking the water above the curb and into buildings. Roads can quickly turn into rivers, with enough strength to carry many objects in its path along with it.
Why are flash floods so dangerous?
The most devastating impact of flash floods is loss of life. Just 6 inches of fast flowing flood water can sweep someone off their feet, making navigating through flood water treacherous. It is strongly recommended not to attempt to drive a vehicle through flood water as just 12 inches of fast flowing flood water is enough to move a car. Sadly vehicle related deaths are the most common during flash floods.
All floodwater is considered contaminated, as it may contain sewage, animal waste, pollutants and harmful bacteria. This water can be incredibly harmful to people, animals and the environment. Care must be taken when faced with flood water and protective closing should be worn.
Flood water can cause damage to building materials and furniture and fittings. It can cause wood to rot and mould to grow, it therefore needs to be dealt with quickly to mitigate that damage.
Flash floods can have a huge impact on vegetation, farmers have reported losses of up to 90% of crops following the recent heavy rainfall and floods. Loss of livestock is another tragic impact of the floods as with very little warning, it can be difficult to get livestock to safety in time.
How was London recently affected?
We have seen on the news in July 2021 how bad the flash floods have been in London. On the 25th July London experienced a month’s rainfall in a matter of hours. Homes and businesses were flooded and roads quickly turned into rivers.
Residents had to be evacuated from their homes. Roads and tube stations were flooded, cars and broken down buses were left stranded meaning trains and other transport had to be cancelled.
Two London hospitals were impacted by flooding and loss of power. The London Fire Brigade reported hundreds of calls following the rainfall.
Europe has also been affected recently, again in July 2021 we witnessed extreme flooding in western Europe with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands being hardest hit.
Why are flash floods becoming more frequent?
Climate change is the biggest factor in the increase of flash floods. The increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, caused by increased co2 emissions and other pollutants is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and storms.
A recent article written in The Guardian, reports scientists warnings that flash floods will be more common as the climate crisis worsens.
What changes need to be made to better protect us from flash floods?
Over the years the accuracy of weather forecasting has improved, providing better predictions of flash floods allowing for better flood warnings, giving people time to prepare. We do however, require further investment in surface water flood mapping to ensure we continually update those areas at risk.
The UK government, as do governments all over the world, needs to make huge changes to better protect us from flash floods.
There are currently a number of initiatives in place to reduce our emissions to help deal with climate change. These will take time to implement and in the meantime we are clearly seeing the impact of climate change so our infrastructure needs to change. Our drainage systems and water supply systems need to be improved. Permeable paving would be a better option for roads and pavements as it is porous and allows water to pass through it. More tidal barriers also need to be installed and maintained.
Local councils will require additional funding to be able to put measures required in their areas to better deal with floods.
Green roofs are a hugely beneficial option which over time could make a difference. A green roof is a roof covered in grass and plants, over a waterproofing system. The UK has been slow to move with this, however it is popular in countries in Europe, especially in Germany.
Green roofs have a number of benefits for the environment and can be used as a habitat for insects and wildlife. It can provide better insulation for homes and businesses, thereby reducing fuel costs. It helps to improve air quality and reduce the temperature of the environment. It can also help control water in heavy rainfall.
7 tips to help you to prepare for flooding
In every home and business there is a risk of flooding from an internal or external ingress of water. There are a number of actions you can take to prevent flooding in your home or mitigate the damage.
Create a flood plan – this is especially important for homes at risk of flooding. A flood plan will give you the opportunity to identify the best way to respond to a flood before it even happens. There are some helpful documents on the government website which will help with this – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-flood-plan
Check your roof – check the roof of your building for leaks or damaged tiles, also remove moss or any other debris that could find its way into your gutters and potentially block them.
Check your gutters and drains – gutters can easily become blocked or broken as can drains and underground pipes. Any issues should be resolved as quickly as possible.
Deal with sewage issues quickly – tackle any problems with sewage quickly as this can lead to a sewage back up into your property, our article ‘Common Causes of Home Sewage Back Ups’ identifies signs that show that there could be a problem in your property.
Waterproof your basement – flooded basements are a common problem. You can arrange to have your basement waterproofed (also referred to as tanking) and have a sump pump fitted to automatically pump water out of the basement. It is also important to ensure you do not leave valuables in the basement. You may also want to think about the type of flooring you put down, tiled flooring would be much easier to deal with following a flood than carpet would.
Check your home insurance – check what cover you have, especially if you live in an area that is identified as ‘at risk’ of flooding.
Research professional water damage restoration companies – have the details of a professional company like Navig8 Restoration to hand. The Navig8 Restoration are experts in water damage remediation and restoration, available 24/7 to deal with your emergency. 0800 285 1447