How to Minimise the Damage Caused by a Leak or Flood in Your Home

Water damage can be a particular nuisance, as the cause is often hidden, giving water time to spread unnoticed and cause significant damage before you even realise there’s an issue. To help you act quickly, we’ve put together a simple guide on how to minimise damage from a flood or leak, so you can stop the problem from getting worse.

At this time of year, it’s not only those living near rivers or on floodplains who face the risk of water damage at home. A simple cracked pipe can cause just as much trouble, leaving most property owners vulnerable.

Of course, there are easier ways to identify the source of a leak than by pulling your home apart piece by piece.

Take one of our previous customers, Mrs Mannus, who noticed the wall by her kitchen door slowly turning an unpleasant brownish-yellow. When she gave it a gentle poke, to her surprise, the plasterboard crumbled.

Rightly concerned, she called her husband to investigate further – he gave it another prod, only to watch even more of the wall fall away.

He then removed the skirting board, followed by a few floorboards one by one, uncovering more unsightly damp as he went. Following the direction in which the water had spread, he took out several kitchen units and even more skirting board.

Watching in dismay, he realised just how far the damage had spread.

Wasting no time, the couple were quick to call their insurance company, who promptly referred them to Rainbow to locate the source of the leak. Their top priority was to have it detected without causing any further damage to their home – and luckily, we did just that.

Their story is far from unique, we receive thousands of calls from distressed property owners who have torn up their homes, only to unveil rampant water damage. It’s no surprise that escape of water is the most common property claim, with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimating insurers pay out £1.8 million every single day.

Weather-related damage is also on the rise, with the ABI reporting 2024 as a record year for payouts, exceeding the previous year by £127 million – a 28% increase. This surge is driven by the growing number of severe storms sweeping across the UK.

Unfortunately, you never expect something to go wrong with your property, until it’s too late. So, what can you do to minimise the damage if the worst happens?

Here are the first nine steps you can take to reduce the destruction leak or flood damage can cause.

What to do if you have flooding in the home

1. Shut off the water with your stopcock. This is important even if your water damage is from rainwater, as it will help prevent drains from backing up and causing further damage in the home.
2. Always take pictures of your entire home and contents before you begin the restoration process and create an inventory . This will help to document the damage for discussions with your insurer.
3. If you plan to remove or clean up any remaining standing water, make sure you wear protective clothing (PPE) to guard against potential contaminants. This includes gloves, a mask or other respiratory protection and clothing that covers your skin completely. Wellies or fishing waders are also a great option if you have them available.
4. Place squares of aluminium foil under the legs of your furniture to avoid colour running into the carpet, leaving a permanent reminder on your floor. Ensure this is replaced regularly during clean-up efforts to avoid corrosion due to moisture.
5. Lift curtains and tack up furniture skirts to protect them from becoming spoiled or stained. The longer they are left to steep, the more difficult it will be to remove any stains.
6. Throw out any food that the water may have come in contact with, including sealed packets and tins.
7. If water is coming through a leaking roof or window, cover the roof or window with a tarp or boarding to limit any further water intrusion.
8. Use a mop, bucket and old towels for smaller leaks or consider using a wet dry vacuum for bigger jobs if you have access to one.
9. Call your insurance company and get approval for any remediation work needed as result of flooding or an escape of water in your home.

Once you’ve received approval from your insurer for flood damage restoration, reach out to us on our 24-hour helpline and we’ll attend the scene, conduct a damage appraisal and give you a quote for the work.

If you’ve experienced an escape of water, but cannot locate the source of the leak, we offer specialised Leak Detection services. In this instance, we’ll use non-invasive techniques to pinpoint the leak and provide a detailed report on the best method for repair.

If you need assistance with repairs, we can carry out restoration work to return your property to its pre-incident condition.

We have a wealth of information available on our website regarding water leaks, such as blogs like ‘How to Find a Water Leak in Your Home’ and ‘Can A Water Leak Cause Structural Damage?’.

We also have an invaluable resource ‘Be Flood Ready’, which is a central hub of information aimed to address some of the most commonly asked questions and concerns such as: ‘How to check if your home is at risk of flooding’.

How Rainbow can Help you Recover From Damage Caused by a Leak or Flood

Once you’ve received approval from your insurance company to appoint a restoration company, one call to our 24/7 helpline on 01624 422 488 is all it takes to get the help and support you need to deal with flooding or a water leak in your home. With over 50 Rainbow locations across the UK, there’s sure to be a branch near you.

Updated: 21/03/25