National Flood School SOS Guide Helps Householders Clean Up After Water Damage

Nov. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Experts at The National Flood School have produced a guide (http://www.nationalfloodschool.co.uk/downloads/NFS_SOS_Guide.pdf) to help householders limit damage to their home in the event of a flood or leak in their property.

The National Flood School has been involved in teaching the theory, science and practice of water damage restoration in real-life circumstances since 1988.

As flood waters cause havoc across the UK, The National Flood School says the following points will help limit the damage;

- Turn off fuses to low-level sockets that may be affected by moisture.

- Wash any non-absorbent items, such as glassware, fully glazed ceramics, pots and pans in hot soapy water. These should not require specialist restoration.

- The longer any standing water is left, the more damage it can cause. If it is safe to do so, remove the standing water by brushing, or with towels, as this may reduce damage to flooring and walls.

- Many affected valuable and/or sentimental items, such photos, documents, books, jewellery and artwork that might appear beyond repair can be rescued, but this is generally a job for specialist restorers. As quickly as possible, put these in an unaffected area for technicians to inspect. Valuable documents for potential restoration should be wrapped in polythene and frozen to halt deteriation.

- Any furniture that could be affected, or any porous or delicate fabrics, should be lifted. Where possible, to prevent further damage, do not put water-damaged items on top of unaffected items as this can cause further problems including possible staining or scratching.

- Open windows and doors if safe to do so to encourage evaporation and use the clean fresh air to assist the drying of the property.

- Ensure a highly-skilled restoration professional is appointed to continue the clean-up works. The National Flood School has a Contractor Endorsement scheme to help signpost consumers to a trusted network of professional flood restoration professionals.

A video about flood damage clean-up can be found on the National Flood School’s own YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V86aPvPKIYQ&feature=plcp



More details can be found at www.nationalfloodschool.co.uk or by calling their information team on 01252 821185.

Notes To Editors

Founded in 1988, the National Flood School is recognised across the UK and Europe as a leader in the research, development, testing and education of a wide-range of techniques and systems to enhance the restoration of property damaged by flood.

It shares its expertise to support and train restoration professionals and provides information and professional guidance for many other associated industries, including insurers and loss adjusters.

To support its work, the National Flood School has built and uses The Flood House – located at its headquarters in Farnham, Surrey.

Believed to be the only purpose-built floodable house in Europe, the structure - comprising of eight rooms and 60 common household materials - is regularly flooded with 1500 gallons of water.

The National Flood School also writes and maintains the BSI Code of Practice for Professional Water Damage Mitigation (PAS 64).

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR 01538 308685 mobile 07985 129315.