Rain water from sewer flooded my cellar - what to do next?

DadDee

Hi

Our cellar was flooded yesterday morning with rain water after heavy rains in SE London. The Thames Water person came around a few hours later. He took a look at the rain water severs and saw that the water levels in the severs had risen before receding back. He confirmed that the rain water sewers were overwhelmed and had backed up causing the flooding of the cellar. According to him a month's rainfall fell in a night. He had similar calls in several properties on our road.

He said Thames Water would send someone over to clean up and disinfect the cellar and they would pump the water out if it hasnt receded in a day.

This is our first house with a cellar and never had trouble with flooding before. I also haven't ever claimed on home insurance before so had a few questions for fellow boarders. You advice is much appreciated.

1) Who is liable for the flooding damage? Is it Thames Water now that private sewers are owned by water companies. See (https://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/8654.htm) and Reporting flooding https://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/9783.htm?

2) DIY and garden tools and other some household stuff I had in the cellar was damaged. Do I claim these back on home insurance? or will Thames water be responsible?

3) Is there something I can do to prevent this happening from the future? Like install a pump or something else? Will these costs be covered by the insurance claim?

DD

DadDee

Actually i found a very useful page on the Thames Water site that provides all the information.

Basically Thames Water would drain and clean up the property, but are not liable for damages, unless it is something under their control. So they wont be liable for flooding due to heavy rains.

I would have to claim the damages through my home insurer.

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/prod/hs.xsl/9782.htm