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Original poster

Flood in home - how long to dry it?

14 replies

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 06:56

My inlaws have got home from an extended trip to find a burst pipe in the loft has caused lots of damage. Down through the bedrooms and into the loving room, ceilings down etc

They can't claim on insurance as they didn't inform the insurance company they were going away.

Does anyone have any experience of how long this will take to resolve? How long will they need dehumidifiers in the property etc. One or two dehumidifiers etc

(I am very worried for them at FiL is mid 80's, they have no heating, and a damp house....I'm sure the insurance company would have moved them out while it's fixed. Of course we have offered to have them but they initially said no as we are 3 hours away. I hope after a night or 2 there they reconsider and agree to come and stay.)

OP posts:

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 18/01/2023 06:58

It could take months and months. One or two dehumidifiers will do nothing sadly - you need proper industrial equipment.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 18/01/2023 06:59

You need industrial fans and dehumidifiers. Normally takes 4-6 months to dry out a property properly.

How long were they away for? You don't normally have to tell insurance unless more than 30 days.

ripandhishorse · 18/01/2023 07:18

You only tell your insurance if you are away for more than 30 days. Were they? My colleague had a burst pipe the week before Christmas. They are out of their house for at least 6 months in an air b and b.

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Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 07:21

Oh my goodness.

They were out for 69 days.....60 is the limit.

Gosh. I know they need big industrial dehumidifiers.....I am worried how much it's going to cost for the electricity too.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 07:22

But as they have been away 69 days it could have been leaking almost that long.....we have no idea......the longer it leaked the wetter the floors and walls are.

OP posts:

Stuffin · 18/01/2023 07:22

I know this isn't going to help your IL's now but they should pick insurance that has 60 days unoccupied rather than 30 if they like extended holidays.

For drying out I think it can take many months. They really need professional advice.

Stuffin · 18/01/2023 07:23

Oh dear just seen that they were out for longer than 60 days.

JuneOsborne · 18/01/2023 07:24

You can hire industrial heaters and dehumidifiers. The cost of the electric to run them is probably going to be high, but they don't have an alternative.

I'd get a heater and dehumidifier for each room that is affected and run them for 14 hours plus per day. Constantly would be better in the beginning.

It may be worth taking the carpets up. They'll take ages to dry if the floorboards are wet too.

What a shame. What a mess. Hope they're ok. I'd be worried too.

Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 07:31

Stuffin · 18/01/2023 07:22

I know this isn't going to help your IL's now but they should pick insurance that has 60 days unoccupied rather than 30 if they like extended holidays.

For drying out I think it can take many months. They really need professional advice.

I know!!! I would have called my insurance company to tell them. Regrettably I don't have the sort of relationship where I can tell them what to do.......unlike my own parents. We also have a language issue.....and my husband is much less plain speaking than me.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 07:35

JuneOsborne · 18/01/2023 07:24

You can hire industrial heaters and dehumidifiers. The cost of the electric to run them is probably going to be high, but they don't have an alternative.

I'd get a heater and dehumidifier for each room that is affected and run them for 14 hours plus per day. Constantly would be better in the beginning.

It may be worth taking the carpets up. They'll take ages to dry if the floorboards are wet too.

What a shame. What a mess. Hope they're ok. I'd be worried too.

Thanks. We have a builder going in tomorrow to start the clear up and the neighbour has offered to help get a dehumidifier- but we looked at DSS yesterday and there is a shortage. I'm hoping they might get another idea....

I think they will have to scrap the carpet. There is parquet floor under so this may be ruined too.....

Builder gave a rough and ready £10000 ish quote to fix....I think this may sore.

I think they need to call the insurance company too. Even if not covered. Although they might just cancel the policy which wouldn't be good either.

OP posts:

butterfly990 · 18/01/2023 10:06

My friend is going through this at the moment. She was away for 4 weeks.

The leak was discovered early, after approximately 2 days but had done a massive amount of damage.

The loss adjuster said that some insurers won't pay out if there wasn't someone regularly checking the house.

She has managed to hire 2 dehumidifiers. I managed to buy a dehumidifier from the British Heart Foundation in one of their charity stores for £15.

Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 18/01/2023 21:56

Thanks @butterfly990 . It's written into most policies that the house needs to be occupied. We have bought a couple of smaller dehumidifiers and there is a larger one going in Friday. i hope they dry some of it out. How long has your friend had the dehumidifiers running for?

OP posts:

peppermum60 · 18/01/2023 22:07

Hi there, my house flooded a few years ago. You can get a company that specialises in drying out flooded properties- they are called flood restoration companies. The quicker they come in, the better result. I'm sorry to hear about what's happened to your in laws and it's definitely a cautionary tale re. insurance. Our claim ended up being many thousands of pounds. Good luck x

Original poster

Mumdiva99 · 23/01/2023 20:50

Thanks for all your advice on this. We got 1 dehumidifier in last Friday and the builder was able to hire 3 more. He has gone in today and is really pleased with how it is drying out - which is great news. He thinks he might be able to start reboarding next week.

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