Burst pipe in a flat: how to protect your belongings while repairs are done

A burst pipe is a nightmare scenario for both home owners and renters in South West London. It can cause so much damage in a matter of minutes, as mains water rushes into your property - soaking carpets, spoiling furniture and ruining your decor.

If you live in a flat, it can be a particularly challenging situation to deal with. The burst pipe may not even be in your flat, but one above you. This means extra steps in contacting the owner or landlord to get it fixed, while you scramble to protect your belongings. If the crisis is in your flat, you also have your neighbours below you to think about.

Here, we’ll look at how to keep everything safe and dry while burst pipe repairs are carried out - and how temporary storage can be a lifesaver.

What to do immediately after a pipe bursts

It’s crucial to act fast as soon as you notice any problems with plumbing, whether it’s a small leak or a full-blown burst pipe. The first important steps are to:

• Turn off the mains water supply - or contact the owner/landlord of the affected flat if it’s not your own, so that they can stop the flow of water
• Only if it’s safe to do so, turn any nearby electrical appliances off
• Contact an emergency plumber to make temporary repairs to the pipework
• Contact your insurance company to arrange to make a claim

Once you’ve done those initial steps, it’s time for damage limitation. You need to move everything out of harm’s way. If just one room is affected, shift furniture and belongings to another room for the time being, to prevent them from soaking up water.

If the whole flat is affected, you’ll need to arrange for temporary storage as soon as possible.

How temporary storage can help in a burst pipe emergency

If you live in a flat in South West London, you may not necessarily have lots of extra space available to store belongings from a flood-affected room. It could make your flat practically unliveable, having everything piled up in your living space.

So, a better solution can be to make use of a temporary storage solution - somewhere safe and dry to keep everything while repairs are done, carpets reinstated and rooms redecorated.

You have two options:

1: Self-storage in South West London

Your first option is to take everything to a nearby self-storage unit. Kiwi Storage has conveniently and centrally located storage units across South West London, ideal for residents of Richmond, Wimbledon, Battersea and Wandsworth.

There are units of all sizes available, suitable for just a few boxes or the contents of your whole flat. You simply choose a unit, book and pay online, and move your belongings in. You can access your stuff when you need to, and the booking is flexible so you can get everything back again as soon as repairs are finished.

2: Mobile storage

Our London mobile storage solution is ideal for unexpected crises like a burst pipe in a flat. This is where we bring the storage unit right to you. If you need flexible temporary storage in a hurry, call us to arrange delivery of a Kiwi Cube - a 35 square foot mobile storage unit.

We bring it to your flat, you fill it and we take it away to one of our secure storage facilities nearby.

Once your flat is dried out, repaired and redecorated, you can arrange for your unit to be dropped off. You don’t need to drive anywhere, do much in the way of heavy lifting, or spend a fortune. You can just concentrate on getting the emergency dealt with and getting your flat back to normal.

How collection and storage works when your insurer is paying

If the damage is covered by your insurance, the cost of removal and storage may be included in your claim, but check your policy first. The process usually runs in four stages: we quote, your insurer or loss adjuster approves the quote, we pack and collect your belongings, and we store them until the repairs are finished, then bring everything back.

We can handle the whole job: packing the affected rooms, moving the contents into storage, and returning and unpacking them once your home is ready. If you only need part of that, such as collection and storage without packing, we’ll quote for just that.

How to coordinate storage with your insurer or loss adjuster

• Ask for a quote that lists each stage separately: packing, collection, storage period and return. That way the adjuster can see exactly what they are approving.
• Give a realistic storage period, and plan for repairs to overrun.
• Check whether your policy covers your belongings in transit and in storage, and ask us about cover when you book.
• Keep your adjuster updated on dates so collection and redelivery line up with the contractors’ schedule.

How to document your belongings before they go into storage

• Photograph or video each room, including anything already damaged by water, so existing damage is on record.
• Make a simple inventory of larger and higher-value items, and keep receipts or valuations with it.
• Label every box by room (“kitchen”, “living room”) so it goes back to the right place.
• Keep documents, medication, chargers and valuables with you rather than in storage.

Can you access your belongings during repairs?

With self-storage, you can visit your unit whenever you need something. With mobile storage, your Kiwi Cube is kept at our secure facility. If you think you’ll need anything before the work is finished, tell us when you book.

Redelivery: getting everything back once repairs are finished

Wait until the work is properly finished before booking the return: flooring down, paint dry, property signed off. When you’re ready, we bring everything back, place furniture where you want it, put boxes in the right rooms and reassemble anything we took apart. Give us as much notice as you can. In controlled parking zones, parking suspensions usually need 5 to 10 working days’ notice.

A real example: storing a kitchen and living room in South West London during repairs

One customer in South West London contacted us because her insurer needed a quote for removal and storage while repair work was done at her home. She asked us to quote for packing up her kitchen and living room, moving the contents into storage for around four weeks, and then returning and unpacking everything. She also asked about cover for her belongings while they were in storage.

The repairs took longer than planned and the dates moved more than once, while she lived in short-term accommodation. When the property was ready, we quoted the return as a day rate for two movers and one van. That covered collecting from her temporary accommodation and from storage, taking everything home, placing the furniture, putting boxes in the right rooms and reassembling furniture where needed.

The lessons: get an itemised quote your insurer can approve quickly, plan for the storage period to run over, and keep your moving company updated as dates change so collection and return can be rescheduled around the builders.

Frequently asked questions

Will my insurance pay for storage after a burst pipe?

It depends on your policy. Some home insurance policies cover removal and storage while your home is repaired. Check with your insurer or loss adjuster before booking. We can give you an itemised quote to send them.

How long can I store my belongings for?

As long as the repairs take. Storage is flexible, so you can extend if the work overruns.

Do you pack and unpack, or just move?

Both are available. Packing and unpacking are quoted separately, so tell us what you need when you ask for a quote.

Are my belongings insured while in storage?

Ask us about cover for goods in storage when you book, and check what your own policy includes.

Book your storage solution here, or give us a call on 020 8264 0550 if you have any questions.