Black Water Cleanup in Hull

Why Hull flood water is black water

Hull City Council's figures say 84% of the city's surface water goes into the combined sewer network. So when a storm overloads the pumps and water rises through gullies, manholes and low toilets, it's a mix of rain and sewage. In June 2007, when 8,657 houses flooded, most of that water came up this way. Even when it looks like clear rainwater, treat flood water in Hull as black water.

What has to go

Porous materials soak up the bacteria along with the water, and cleaning can't reliably reach it. After black water, these are normally removed:

• carpets, underlay and rugs;
• plasterboard and gypsum plaster to above the tide line;
• chipboard kitchen plinths, carcasses and flooring;
• mattresses, upholstered furniture and soft toys;
• insulation that the water reached.

Solid timber, brick, concrete, tiles, metal and glass can usually be cleaned, disinfected and kept.

How we do it

1. Full protective equipment, and the area separated from the rest of the house.
2. Water pumped out and disposed of as contaminated waste.
3. Soaked materials photographed, logged for your insurer, bagged and removed.
4. Every remaining surface cleaned and disinfected, including floor voids.
5. Structural drying with readings until the building is dry, then repairs.

Keeping your household safe

Keep children, pets, older people and anyone unwell away from the affected rooms until they've been cleaned. Wear gloves and boots if you have to go in, cover cuts, and wash your hands before eating. Throw away any food, medicines or cosmetics the water touched. If sewage came from the public sewer, report it to Yorkshire Water on 0345 1 24 24 24.

Our water damage cost guide sets out what pumping out, stripping out and drying usually cost, and how flood and escape of water claims differ.