We hope you’re keeping safe if you’re in an area being affected with heavy rain. This article by Build Magazine NZ contains some helpful tips if your house has been damaged by flooding or water. You can also give our customer service team a call if you know your insulation will need replacing and we’ll work with you & your insurance company to get things sorted: 0508 088 888
BEFORE ENTERING a flood-damaged house, check that there is no immediate danger from:
- Continued flooding risk
- Damaged structure
- Electric shock – supply should be discontinued until initial checks have been carried out and the supply and installations are confirmed as safe
- Leaking gas – supply should be discontinued until checked and tagged as safe
- Overflowing drains or sewage systems.
Check for contaminants
Floodwater may be contaminated by silt and sewage that is deposited as water recedes. In rural areas, it may also deposit animal carcasses. To minimise contamination risk:
- Ensure that the sewerage system has been checked and presents no danger to health – floodwaters can enter the sewer drains via gully traps or via toilet pans and shower wastes that are below the flood level
Stripping out
Where water has entered the basement and living areas of the house, the aim is to remove all items that are wet or holding water and those that may prevent the drying out of concealed spaces as quickly as possible. Nothing that can hold moisture and prevent or slow the drying process should be left in the house.
- Items that are likely to have got wet and need removal include the following:
- Furniture and floor-mounted or low-level appliances.
- Carpets and vinyl flooring.
- Full-length curtains and drapes.
- Wall linings up to 300 mm above the flood level – where a house has been briefly (2–3 hours) flooded with clean water, linings may only need to be removed from insulated walls.
- Insulation – all wet insulation, except polystyrene, must be discarded.
HAVE A CHAT TO THE G-FORCE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM ABOUT THE BEST INSULATION SOLUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BY GIVING US A CALL ON 0800 477 009 OR EMAIL: SALES@GFORCE.CO.NZ
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