Flood water encroaching on a property with sand bags

Flood Water Damage Cleaning

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24/7 UK flood emergency response within the hour

Industry accredited flood damage cleaning specialist

Rapid water extraction, disinfection and drying services

Flood and Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration

When flooding strikes your home or business, the damage—and the distress—can be overwhelming. Whether caused by excessive rainfall or internal issues like a burst pipe or boiler leak you need a rapid, expert response to prevent further damage and restore safety.

Rentokil Specialist Hygiene offers 24/7, nationwide flood damage restoration services for commercial and residential properties. Our emergency teams can be on-site within 60 minutes to start the cleanup process. We understand the disruption flooding causes, which is why we offer a fast, discreet, and fully managed service to minimise your downtime and restore your property to its original hygienic condition as quickly as possible. From water extraction and drying to waste removal and full disinfection, we handle the entire process with the highest level of professionalism and offer a free no-obligation survey.

Flood Risk in the UK

A staggering 6.3 million homes across the UK are at risk of flooding*. This stark statistic highlights the widespread impact that flooding can have on communities and individuals. From coastal erosion and rising sea levels to overflowing rivers and sudden bursts of heavy rainfall, the causes of flooding are diverse and often unpredictable.

Whether it's a burst pipe in a residential property, a flash flood overwhelming a city centre, or rising groundwater affecting a rural village, the consequences are equally devastating. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure can be severely damaged, leaving behind a trail of disruption and distress. The aftermath of a flood presents not only physical challenges but also potential health hazards due to contaminated water and the risk of mould growth.

*Environment Agency, National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024

The Dangers of Flood Water

Flood water can contain a variety of harmful substances, including sewage, chemicals, and debris. Where flooding affects drains, backed-up sewage water can contain high levels of harmful bacteria and viruses such as E. coli, Salmonella and Norovirus, posing a serious risk to human health. It is crucial to avoid direct contact with flood water and to wear protective gear during cleanup efforts.

The Hidden Dangers of Water Damage

Water damage can stem from a variety of sources, with plumbing leaks being among the most frequent culprits. Whether it's a slow drip from a faulty pipe, a sudden burst, or an overflowing appliance, water can quickly seep into your property's structure, leading to significant problems. If not addressed swiftly and effectively, water damage can escalate into long-term issues, including structural compromise, the growth of harmful mould and mildew, and costly repairs.

We understand the urgency and complexity of water damage cleanup. Our expert team is equipped to handle all aspects of water damage restoration, from initial water extraction to thorough drying and disinfection, ensuring your property is returned to a safe and hygienic condition.

Our Flood Damage Restoration Process:

We understand how distressing and overwhelming it is when your property is flooded or experiences water damage. In these emergency situations, you need immediate help, which is why for all flood emergencies, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene can be on-site within 60 minutes. We can also work with you and your insurance company to carry out a site survey of your premise. We follow a comprehensive process to ensure the effective restoration of your property.

Flood and water damage step-by-step treatment process:

  • 1. Water Extraction - Before the drying process can begin, all excess floodwater must be removed to make the property safe and allow dehumidification to be successful. Once the flood levels outside the property have receded we will remove any excessive water using puddle pumps and wet dry vacuums.

  • 2. Waste Clearance - Unfortunately some items are just not salvageable. We can remove and dispose of any unsalvageable items affected by flooding including damaged flooring to prevent mould and rot setting in.

  • 3. Specialist Disinfection - Flood water can contain contaminants with raw sewage and pollutants. Our experts will clean and disinfect your premises to remove contaminants and reduce the risk of fungal growth. Our disinfection service reduces levels of bacteria, moulds and viruses by up to 99.9999% on surfaces*, dramatically reducing the risk from pathogens left by floodwater.

    *Steri-7

  • 4. Drying & Deodorise - Drying out the building fabric and furniture must be done in a controlled way. The removal of moisture is essential in preventing further issues and damage in the future. Our speedy drying process using dehumidifier units to thoroughly and quickly remove moisture from your property will help prevent mould growth and structural damage. Once complete, we can also remove malodours, neutralising the smell of damp & mould.

New Rapid Flood Drying Solution

When flooding occurs, the affected rooms and buildings are inevitably out of action until they can be restored to a ‘liveable’ condition. For commercial, educational and retail customers, that ‘downtime’ can be extremely expensive. Where time is of the essence, our Rapid Drying process can safely dry a classroom or office in 24 hours, rather than several days or even weeks, meaning minimal lost time and associated costs.

By using our modern convection heating technology, the room and structure are heated whilst damp air is removed from the area, drying the room out in a controlled manner. All treatments are carried out carefully, with a full report showing temperature and humidity levels during the process, before handing the area back in a dry state.

Our Flood and Water Damage Service Process

1. Contact and Response

We recognise the urgency of flood and water damage restoration. From the moment you get in touch we offer a rapid response service and can be onsite within 60 minutes. Our expert colleagues will ensure someone is with you to start work as quickly as possible and will talk you through what is involved.

2. Service Assessment

We are committed to delivering a service built on trust, safety, and technical excellence. We will always provide a detailed risk assessment before any work is started to make sure hazards are identified and dealt with, including working with other parties involved to get your home or workplace back up and running.

3. Specialist Cleaning

Working with you to minimise disruption, our RSPH-trained flood cleaning specialists will arrive in a Rentokil vehicle, fully uniformed and carrying identification (we don’t use subcontractors or agency workers), and safely secure the area. With our technical expertise and specialist training we will follow a strict process to remove waste and water, dry the property and then disinfect and remove odour before final handover.

4. Completion and Final Handover

Upon completion, our team will review the work and provide a full service report ensuring you are completely satisfied and have a formal record for your audit trail. We will also discuss any further recommendations with you before we leave your site, and would be grateful if you could share your experience with others by leaving us a review on Google.

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Latest Flood and Water Damage Blogs

Commercial Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Following a Flood

Has the carpet or upholstery in your commercial premises been affected by flooding? Whether from water damage or localised flooding, carpets and upholstery can be difficult to clean and dry by yourself without the use of specialised equipment. Following water damage, it is recommended that any carpets and upholstery that are wet for more than 48 hours need to be removed and disposed of. To save them, have professional commercial carpet cleaning using a professional cleaning company to restore your furnishing as quickly as possible.

Provide Clean Air Post Flood

Floodwater can be full of contaminants which can impact the air quality of your premises, posing a serious health risk to the air you breathe. As part of our flood clean-up service, we will use ENVIROPure air purification units to deliver clean, purified air.

ENVIROPure air purification units help to remove malodours, allergens and bacteria in the air and are designed with a HEPA filter to tackle bacterial and fungal matter in an indoor area, and an activated carbon filter that helps tackle volatile organic chemicals within indoor air. Additionally, colour indication at the front of the unit gives you an instant insight into the air quality surrounding it, displaying real-time data that measures temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne dust particles.

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What is flood restoration?

    Flood restoration is the process of returning a property to its pre-flood condition after it has been damaged by water. This involves a multi-step process that typically includes:

    • Assessment: Evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying potential hazards.
    • Water Extraction: Removing standing water using pumps and vacuums.
    • Drying: Thoroughly drying the affected area using dehumidifiers and air movers.
    • Cleaning and Sanitising: Cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces to prevent mould growth and eliminate contaminants.
    • Restoration: Repairing or replacing damaged materials, such as drywall, flooring, and insulation.

  • What are the different types of flooding?

    Flooding is the overflow of water that submerges land typically dry, posing significant challenges to communities and infrastructure. Understanding the different categories of flooding, including those stemming from issues like water ingress and plumbing failures, is crucial for effective risk management and emergency response. Floods are broadly categorised based on their water source, the speed at which they develop, and the location affected. Each type presents a unique set of threats and requires a tailored response.

    Natural and environmental floods:

    • Coastal floods
    • Flash floods
    • River floods
    • Urban floods

    Water ingress and plumbing floods:

    • Roof, window and door leaks
    • Foundation and basement leaks
    • Burst pipes
    • Sewer backups
    • Toilet overflows
    • Washing machine, boiler and other appliance malfunctions

  • What are the health risks associated with flood water?

    Flood water can contain sewage, bacteria, chemicals, and other hazardous materials that pose serious health risks. Exposure can lead to infections, respiratory problems, and other illnesses.


  • Do I need a professional flood cleanup?

    A professional post-flood cleanup service is the quickest and most effective way to recover following recent flooding. A flood restoration service will not only provide an expert response to effectively remove debris after a flood, but will ensure your property is safe from the threat of structural damage and is decontaminated to help reduce the health risks.

    If you have experienced a flood and require a professional flood damage cleanup, get in touch with our local experts today by calling us or completing our online form.


  • What does our flood water clean up service involve?

    From our many years of experience in dealing with flood damage for residential and commercial premises, we have developed our specialist flood water damage cleanup service to assist in the cleaning, drying and disinfection of your property.

    Our specialist hygiene technicians will remove any contaminated, damaged or beyond repair furnishing and belongings before cleaning begins. Once these have been removed, they will clean and dry the affected areas. Depending on the extent of mould and fungal growth within the property, all timbers have to be sprayed with disinfectant to protect against fungal attacks. If required, our specialist odour removal Ozone generator will be used to remove malodours, neutralising the smell of damp and mould.

    We provide property owners and tenants with updates at every stage of the flood cleanup process, as we understand the devastating impact flooding can cause. Equipped to deal with the aftermath of all types of flooding using innovative cleaning and disinfection solutions, our team will help you restore your premises to its pre-incident state.


  • Who do we work with during flood restoration?

    When a flood occurs, especially following a major incident, we work with all types of commercial, residential, industrial services and providers to restore your premises safely. Our detailed risk-assessment involves our experts inspecting the premises, recommending treatment options and providing a breakdown of cost for the work required.


  • How much does flood restoration cost?

    The cost to repair your premises following unexpected flooding and water damage will vary depending on the severity and extent of restoration required.
    For an accurate cost of flooding repair and restoration, we will carry out a free survey to determine the damage. This will allow our consultant to provide hands-on advice and treatment recommendations based on your needs. We aim to deliver expert flood water cleaning in time and to budget, allowing your business to be fully operational with minimum disruption.


  • How can I protect myself and my property from flood damage?

    There is a range of things that you can do to begin to repair the damage left behind by floods. Flood cleaning is a dangerous task and there are some crucial steps you need to be aware of before you or anyone else begins the process of clearing up after extensive flooding. Here's what you need to know:

    First, be safe - Before you do anything, switch off your electricity supply at the mains and do not touch any outlets. Consulting a qualified electrician is advisable.
    Protect yourself - Flood water can often contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste, so wear protective clothing (including gloves and wellington boots) if you're in contact with it or contaminated items.
    Prevent further damage - Equally shovel mud and silt deposits away from both sides of the wall, as removal from one side only could compromise the structure.
    Clean - Clean all affected areas, including floors, walls, doors and surfaces with disinfectant to avoid odours or mildew.
    Drying out - If you have gas or oil central heating then keep it on at around 20-22 degrees for steady drying.

    It can also help to be aware of potential flood warnings within your area, so you can put in place preventative measures such as sandbags and flood barriers.It can also help to be aware of a potential flood warning within your area, so you can put in place preventative measures such as sandbags and flood barriers.


  • Is flood water damage covered by insurance?

    Flood and water damage insurance coverage varies depending on the policy. It's crucial to contact your insurance provider to determine the extent of your coverage. We are on hand to help and can offer a free no-obligation site survey.


  • What should I do if my property has been flooded?

    Safety first! Disconnect the power and avoid contact with flood water. Contact your insurance company and a professional flood restoration service like Rentokil Specialist Hygiene immediately.


  • How long does flood restoration take?

    The duration of the restoration process depends on the severity of the damage. It can range from a few days to several weeks. Our team can help to answer specific questions you may need to understand with flood and water damage restoration and can be on-site within one hour to assist.


  • Can I attempt to clean up the flood water myself?

    While it might be tempting to handle the cleanup yourself, it's strongly recommended to hire professionals. Flood water can be dangerous, and specialised equipment is often required for effective restoration.

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