Clearing Up Businesses After A Flood

Floodwater

Floodwater is sometimes contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other contaminants. If present, these contaminants will be very dilute but can present a low risk to health.

Although floodwater may be clear, it might leave a muddy deposit as it recedes and this may contain some harmful bacteria.

Drinking water

If you get your water from a private source, such as a borehole, you should take appropriate precautions.

Cleaning up

General

• Before disposing of any flood-damaged materials, contact your insurers who will advise what costs are covered and what works you can start immediately
• When removing dirty water and silt from your property, don't forget any space under the floor.

Hard surfaces

• Wash all hard surfaces down with hot soapy water until they look clean
• Allow to thoroughly dry, this will help to destroy any remaining germs.
• Heating and good ventilation will aid the drying process.
• If the floodwater contained diesel or oil, any contamination left behind can be cleaned using a hot detergent solution.

Soft materials

• Use a hot machine wash (60°C or the highest temperature indicated on the manufacturer's instructions) for cleaning soft fabrics.
• If a hot wash is unsuitable, contact professional cleaners (or your waste contractor for disposal)

Walls, ceilings and inside cupboards

• Damp after a flood may encourage mould growth. Treat any affected areas with a fungicidal solution and keep well ventilated (for months if necessary).

Pumps, driers and heaters

• Only use fuel powered (diesel, petrol, LPG) equipment in the open air.
• In confined spaces, exhaust fumes kill.

Food preparation areas

• Clean everything in your kitchen that has been touched by floodwater. Use hot tap water and detergent, then a food-safe sanitizer spray (available from supermarkets). (Include pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, the kitchen surfaces and equipment that food will contact, and shelves inside cupboards.)
• Replace work tops that show signs of damage

Waste food disposal

Check with your insurers before disposing of freezer contents or other things.

• Throw away frozen food that has been at room temperature for a few hours.
• Dispose of all food that has been in contact with any floodwater.
• Double-wrap contaminated food in plastic bags and put it in your bin for your next refuse collection.
• Please don't put out waste food in sacks any earlier than necessary, as extra food waste in plastic sacks might attract animals.

For advice on disposal of damaged foodstuffs, contact Oxfordshire County Council's Waste Management Team. Tel: 08450 50 45 50

Safety FIRST

• Wear waterproof boots and gloves when cleaning up
• Always wash your hands with soap and clean water after contact with flood water, or anything floodwater may have touched
• Keep any open cuts or sores covered and away from contact with floodwater. Use waterproof plasters or waterproof gloves for cuts on your hands
• If anyone gets an upset stomach, contact their GP or NHS Direct for advice

Protect health by always washing your hands before eating or preparing food

If you have any doubts about the safety of gas or electrical systems get professional advice.

Electricity

• If the floodwater reached your fuse board or sockets (or junction boxes under the floor) do not switch the power on until an electrician has checked the system.
• Make sure to properly switch off all electrical appliances before restoring the electricity supply.
• To avoid electrical shock, wear rubber boots and keep electrical extension cables out of any damp patches.

Gas

• If your gas meter or any gas appliance has been submerged then, before switching on the gas or trying to light any appliance, contact the British Gas emergency freephone 0800 111 999.

Sandbags

• Please keep bags for next time
• Polypropylene bags (green, yellow or white) can be stored as they are.
• Hessian bags will rot, so put each one in a heavy-duty plastic bag (not biodegradable) for storage. (These will work just as well in future if tied loosely, so the sand can still move).
• Sunlight and soil help to destroy harmful bacteria: Any additional risk to health should go in a week or so.
• If the floodwater reached your sandbags, wear waterproof gloves to move them, then wash your hands.

Contact Us

Please contact our Environmental Health department using the details on the right of this page for more information on cleaning-up after a flood.

Page last reviewed 5 Nov 2008