What to do after flooding

What to do after flooding

If your home or property has been damaged by flooding you should contact us on 028 9027 0428.

After a flood you can use this number during office hours and additional numbers will be publicised on this site and in the media.

Your household emergency life-saving plan (link opens in new window) also has a list of important agencies you may need to contact. 

Cleaning up after a flood is heavy, manual work. You can get detailed advice on nidirect about:

• clearing up after a flood (link opens in new window) and 
• making an insurance claim (link opens in new window).

After flooding dos and don'ts

Even after the water has drained away there are hazards which remain and you need to be aware of. To make sure you and your property are safe, follow these safety dos and don'ts:

Do:

• Check for structural damage to your property. If you think there is damage or danger seek advice from your insurance company or builder. Any structures which are damaged by flooding and are now dangerous should be reported to our Building Control section on 028 9027 0650.
• Ventilate all areas thoroughly before you work in them. This is especially true of under floor areas and confined spaces. If there is a strong odour in these places seek advice from us before you enter. Call us on 028 9027 0428.
• Watch out for any broken glass or nails while you're clearing up.
• Use circuit breakers on electrical equipment until your house dries out, even when the electrics have been checked.
• Contact us on 028 9027 0230 to arrange a free bulky waste collection to remove damaged materials such as furniture, carpets and appliances from your property.
• Contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive directly on 03448 920901 if you are a NIHE tenant. They will help clean up NIHE properties and dry out and repair any flood damage.
• Wash taps and let them run for a few minutes before use. Mains tap water should not be contaminated after flooding. Call NI Water on 0345 744 0088 if you notice a change in water quality, such as a change of taste or smell or discoloured water.
• Check your drains and sewers are clear before flushing toilets and running taps.
• If you discover any vermin or pests such as rats seeking refuge in a building, contact our Pest Control Service on 028 9027 0431.
• If you notice mould growing on damp walls or need any other health advice, contact our Environmental Health department by calling 028 9027 0428.
• Make sure you hire a reputable builder if you need repairs carried out. Check out their identification, references and previous work. Get three quotes and double check them. Remember the cheapest quote is not always the best and don’t pay for the work before it has been done. For advice contact out Building control section on 028 9027 0650.

Don't:

• Use your electricity mains until it has been checked by a qualified electrician.
• Turn on gas or gas appliances until your system has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Go to the Gas Safe Register website for more information.
• Use damp electrical equipment – get it checked by a professional.
• Try to move heavy items such as fallen trees on your own. Remember that soft furnishings will be soaked and will be much heavier than normal. Used sandbags will be much heavier than when dry.
• Let children or pets play on grass or paved areas which have been flooded until the areas have been cleaned. Remove any toilet waste from affected areas by shovelling it into black bags and sealing them. After the grass has grown and been cut once there should be no further risk as sunlight and soil will usually destroy harmful bacteria within a week.
• Dispose of items until asked to do so by your insurer, broker or loss adjuster. Before removal, make sure you have photographed all the items.
• Use petrol or diesel generators or pumps indoors. They can produce carbon monoxide which can kill.
• Use barbecues or camping stoves inside.

Rate relief for properties affected by flooding

Rate relief

Land and Property Services (LPS) can consider the circumstances of properties impacted by flooding on a case by case basis.

For non-domestic properties, relief may be available through valuation processes and for domestic properties, an exclusion may be available through Rating of Empty Homes legislation.

Non-domestic and commercial properties

Information and an online application form to have a property’s valuation revised is available on the nidirect website (link opens in new window).

When Land & Property Services (LPS) receives an application, their valuer will visit and assess the property to determine if the damage merits an amendment to the Net Annual Value and revision of the Valuation List entry.

If the application does not result in an amendment to the Valuation List, ratepayers may consider applying for relief under the Hardship Rate Relief Scheme.

Hardship rate relief

Hardship rate relief for non-domestic rates is aimed at providing rate relief to assist a business in its recovery from a temporary crisis resulting from an exceptional circumstance. Find information and how to apply for the Hardship Rate Relief Scheme (link opens in new window).

Domestic properties

For homeowners affected by flooding, assistance may be available through a Rating of Empty Homes exclusion. You can apply for an exclusion from rates if:

• you qualified for compensation from your local council because your home flooded after heavy rain or a tidal surge
• your property was unoccupied continuously for at least four weeks
• your property was your main home before the flooding.

You could get this exclusion from rates for up to six months.

Read more information about the Rating of Empty Homes (link opens in new window).

You can find more information on what to do if a flood happens on nidirect (link opens in new window).