The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says that flooding issues are likely to continue for several months - particularly since groundwater and river levels continue to rise.
The Institution says a flooded property should be checked to ensure that the plumbing, heating and electrical services are tested and working and care should also be taken to inspect the structure of the building.
Flood damage to rental properties
However, RICS says that damage to a property may not appear for several weeks or months after it has been flooded and landlords should be aware of this fact.
A spokesman for RICS said: “The effects of floodwater may not manifest for several months in things like electrical cables and fittings which may not be noticed until corrosion has affected the contact points. Indeed, moisture could be buried in ducts for months before any damage becomes apparent.”
RICS is also saying that it should be appreciated that when a property is being checked that the interior walls are examined closely.
That’s because where the wall has been saturated it will be necessary to remove the damp plaster which will also contain salts and chemicals. The wet wall will also prevent drying depending on its thickness and construction – with this process of drying out taking several months to complete.
In addition, a cavity wall which has been insulated may have its insulation material ‘slump’ after becoming soaked and this will need to be removed and replaced to its original installation level.
Flood damage to a property may not be apparent
Another problem with walls is for older ones to have timbers built within them to provide fixings for joinery such as skirtings and dado rails. These fixings will have to be removed if the wall has become saturated and the timber carefully inspected because the damage may not be apparent, particularly from the front.
RICS is also making clear that landlords need to be aware that even if floodwater did not apparently enter the house, it may still have risen up through the ground and enter an underfloor void. This will cause problems to the timbers situated beneath floor level and to any electrical services running through the space.
To be absolutely confident of any flood damage, especially in inaccessible places, landlords should engage the services of a chartered building surveyor who will provide the expertise and a full report of any damage which can be presented to an insurance company.
