Clearing up households 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. Contact your doctor if you become ill after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water.

Drinking water

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

Cleaning inside your home

General

• When removing dirty water and silt from your property, don't forget any space under the floor.

Hard surfaces

• Wash all hard surfaces with hot soapy water until they look clean
• Allow to thoroughly dry, this will help to destroy any germs that remain.
• 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 furnishings, clothing and toys

• Use a hot machine wash (60°C or the highest temperature indicated on the manufacturers instructions) for cleaning clothing, bedding and other soft fabrics (including children's toys).
• Other soft furnishings that can't be hot washed will have to be professionally cleaned or disposed of.
• For free Bulky Household Waste Collection: Phone City Works on Oxford 252900

Walls, ceilings and inside cupboards

• Damp after a flood may encourage mould growth. Treat any affected areas with a fungicidal solution and ventilate.

Pumps, driers and heaters

• Use fuel powered (gas, diesel, petrol, LPG) equipment in the open air ONLY. Exhaust fumes in confined spaces can kill you.

Food preparation, storage and waste

• Don't eat any food that has been in contact with any floodwater.
• Clean everything in your kitchen that has been touched by floodwater, if it contacts food. Use hot tap water and detergent, then a food-safe sanitizer spray (available from supermarkets). (Pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, the kitchen surfaces and equipment that food will contact, and shelves inside cupboards.)
• Do not use work tops that show signs of damage

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.
• Double-wrap contaminated food in plastic bags and put it in your green bin for your next refuse collection.
• If you don't have a green bin, please don't put it out any earlier than necessary, as extra food waste in plastic sacks might attract animals.

Garden and allotment produce

• Take normal precautions - wash hands after working and be careful not to ingest soil.
• Don't let young children play on the allotment, as they might eat soil.
• Give sunlight and rain the time needed to destroy any contaminants before harvesting.
• Thoroughly was and peel the food

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

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
• Wash children's hands frequently and always before meals
• Wash and disinfect toys contaminated with floodwater before letting children use them.
• 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

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.

Gardens & Play Areas

• Don't let children play where floods have been, until areas have thoroughly dried.
• Sunlight and soil help to destroy harmful bacteria: Any additional risk to health should go in a week or so.

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 bio-degradable) for storage. (These will work just as well in future if tied loosely, so the sand can still move).
• 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 14 May 2008