What has to come off
Plaster and plasterboard that were under water are usually removed, typically to a level above the water line. Skirting, timber and insulation that got soaked are checked and often replaced.
FLOOD DAMAGE, DRYING & REPLASTERING
DRYING OUT AFTER
A FLOOD IN CUMBRIA.
Carlisle, Cockermouth, Keswick, Workington and Appleby all know what flood water does to a home. Here’s how to get the walls dry and the plaster back on properly.
Arrange a free surveyWhy drying
takes time.
Flood water soaks deep into brick, stone and plaster, and it isn’t clean. Gypsum plaster and plasterboard lose their strength and hold onto contamination, while thick walls can stay wet inside long after the surface feels dry.
Drying the structure
Ventilation, heating and dehumidifiers dry the walls out over time. Readings are taken to check the wall itself is dry, not just the surface.
Recovering better next time
Some finishes cope with water much better than others. Flood-resilient repairs, such as suitable plasters and raised sockets, can mean a quicker, cheaper recovery if it happens again.
After the
water goes.
In the first days, once it’s safe
- Don’t switch on electrics or gas until they’ve been checked
- Photograph everything before clearing it, for your insurer
- Call your insurer and agree the next steps with them
- Open up the house to let it ventilate
- Wear gloves and wash hands, as flood water is contaminated
Before anything is replastered
- Walls have been tested and are genuinely dry
- Contaminated plaster and materials have been removed
- Floors, timbers and voids have been checked
- Salts left by the water have been dealt with
- You’ve considered flood-resilient finishes
How we
help.
Assess the damage
We look at how high the water reached, what needs removing and how wet the walls are, and can provide photos and a quote for your insurer.
Check the drying
We check the walls are dry enough before any new plaster goes on, rather than working to a fixed date.
Replaster to last
Walls are replastered with a finish that suits the building and its flood risk, and we’ll explain when you can decorate.
Flood recovery help
across north & west Cumbria.
Send your postcode to confirm availability, including nearby towns and villages.
Check availabilityCarlisle & the north
Carlisle, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton
West Cumbria & the coast
Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Aspatria, Egremont, Cleator Moor
Penrith & the northern Lakes
Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth
Drying out after a flood
FAQs.
How long does a house take to dry after a flood?
Usually weeks to months, depending on how long the water stood, the type of walls and the weather. Thick stone walls are often the slowest.
Can I plaster over a wall that still feels damp?
No. Plastering a wet wall traps the moisture, and damp, salts and mould tend to come back through the new finish.
Does all the plaster need to come off?
Plaster that was under water usually does, typically up to a level above where the water reached. We’ll check what can stay.
Do you work with insurers?
We can provide photos, findings and a quotation to support your claim. Agree the work with your insurer before it starts.
What is flood-resilient plastering?
Using materials and details that recover better after water, such as plasters that tolerate wetting and electrics moved higher up the wall, so the next clean-up is quicker.
How do I get flood warnings?
Sign up for free flood warnings for your area on GOV.UK, so you get as much notice as possible next time.
YOUR HOME. A CLEARER WAY FORWARD.
BOOK YOUR FREE
SURVEY OR QUOTE.
Damp, ventilation or plastering. Tell us what you need and arrange a free, no-obligation survey or quotation.
