Key takeaways
- ✓ Safety comes first: switch off the power before entering, wear boots, gloves, goggles and protective clothing, and treat all floodwater as contaminated.
- ✓ Don't eat food touched by floodwater, and wash all plates, cutlery and glassware thoroughly before using them again.
- ✓ Find and stop the water source — repair the sump pump, clear storm drains or fix burst plumbing — before removing water with buckets, hoses and a wet vacuum.
- ✓ Photograph and document all damage before the clean-up so your insurer's assessor can evaluate the full extent of the loss.
- ✓ Professionals should handle the final clean-up: they'll determine what's salvageable, replace compromised drywall and insulation, and deal with any mould.
Put safety first
Before anything else, make sure you and your family are safe. If the flooding forced you out of the house, take precautions before going back in to deal with the aftermath. Start by switching off the power supply — electricity and water are a deadly combination, and the NSW SES advises never reconnecting services yourself; leave that to a licensed electrician.
Floodwater isn't just water. NSW Health warns it's frequently contaminated with sewage, chemicals and bacteria, so gear up before you step back inside: boots, gloves, goggles and protective clothing. Don't eat any food that's been touched by floodwater — it can make you seriously ill — and wash all plates, cutlery, glasses and other dishes thoroughly before using them again.
Stop the water, then remove it
One of the first jobs is finding where the water is coming from and stopping it. If your sump pump has failed, have it repaired or replaced immediately so it can cope with continued rain and protect your basement, crawlspace or garage. Blocked storm drains may need professionals to clear the debris. And if a burst pipe caused the flood, get the plumbing repaired right away to stop the damage compounding.
With the inflow stopped, start getting the water out. The right tool depends on how deep it is: buckets work for modest amounts, hoses are effective for draining a heavily flooded basement, and once the bulk is gone, a wet vacuum will pull the remaining water and moisture out of carpets and flooring.
Dry the place thoroughly
Even with the water gone, the house will stay wet or damp — especially in humid weather. Switch on the air conditioning and set up fans to dry the affected areas thoroughly. Dehumidifiers earn their keep in enclosed spaces like basements and crawlspaces, stripping the excess moisture out of the air. Thorough drying is what limits the long-term water damage — and it's your best defence against mould.
Contact your insurance company
Call your insurer promptly to report the loss. They'll send an assessor to evaluate the damage and determine what your policy covers — and with repair costs potentially high, that support matters. After a major weather event the assessor may take a while to arrive, so document everything in the meantime: the Insurance Council of Australia advises photographing all flood damage before you clean up, which gives the assessor the evidence they need to gauge the full extent of the loss.
Clean up and repair
Now the focus shifts to a thorough clean-up and repair. This is the stage to bring in a professional cleaning and water damage restoration company: they'll work through your contents and determine what can be salvaged and what has to go. Drywall, flooring, carpet and insulation may need replacing if they've been compromised; furniture may be cleaned and restored or discarded depending on how badly the water got to it.
If you notice mould growing anywhere, call a mould removal specialist rather than tackling it yourself. Electrical damage needs a licensed electrician, and significant structural damage calls for a builder or construction company.
For a quick-reference companion to this guide, see what to do after a flood in the first 24 hours.
Need a hand in Sydney or Regional NSW?
Professionals have the equipment, training and experience to handle a flooded house safely — so don't take on the dangerous mess alone. One Prime responds 24/7 across Greater Sydney & Regional NSW for flood clean-up, water damage restoration, mould removal and sewage clean-up. Call 1300 774 631.
Frequently asked questions
What's the first thing to do when your house floods?
Make it safe. Switch off the power supply before entering, since water and electricity are a deadly combination, and put on protective gear — boots, gloves, goggles and covering clothing — because floodwater is often contaminated with sewage, chemicals and bacteria. Only then start dealing with the water itself.
Should I call my insurer before or after cleaning up?
Report the loss to your insurer as soon as possible, and photograph and document all the damage before you start cleaning up. After major weather events an assessor may take days to arrive, and your photos are the evidence they'll use to evaluate the full extent of the loss.
Is food safe to eat after a flood?
Not if floodwater may have touched it — contaminated food can cause serious illness, so throw it out. Wash all plates, cutlery, glassware and other dishes thoroughly before using them again, since surfaces in a flooded kitchen can carry the same contamination.
What usually needs replacing after a house flood?
Porous materials that were saturated — drywall, insulation, flooring and carpet — often need replacing if they've been compromised. Furniture is judged case by case: some pieces can be professionally cleaned and restored, while badly soaked items are safer discarded. A restoration company will assess each item.
Sources & further reading
- NSW SES — Electricity, gas and water safety
- NSW Health — Beware the health risks of flood clean-up
- Insurance Council of Australia — What to do in the event of flood
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Last reviewed 12 September 2018 by the One Prime Solutions team.