Flooding is a major problem for many people in the United Kingdom, posing a risk to health, safety and wellbeing, and resulting in widespread damage to property. The scale of the problem can be gauged from the following quotation (OST, 2004): Nearly 2 million properties in floodplains along rivers, estuaries and coasts in the UK are potentially at risk of flooding. 80,000 properties are at risk in towns and cities from flooding caused by heavy downpours that overwhelm urban drains so-called intra-urban flooding. In England and Wales alone, over 4 million people and properties valued at over £200 billion are at risk. In the autumn 2000 floods, 10 000 properties were flooded at more than 700 locations at a cost in the order of £1.0 billion. With the effects of climate change and increased societal pressures on the countrys infrastructure and services, the risks of flooding are predicted to increase considerably. Flood damage to properties can range from minor effects on walls, floors, basements and services to serious structural damage to buildings. However, practical steps can be taken to reduce the cost of flood damage and to speed up recovery times should the flood return. This guide sets out requirements for the repair of buildings following flooding and includes: * a description of the causes of flooding and the impact that floods can have on buildings * making safe, decontamination and drying activities that must be undertaken immediately after the floodwaters have receded, including recommendations on appropriate health and safety risk assessments * conducting post-flood surveys and future flood risk assessments * standards of repair for buildings following flooding. The repair of buildings has to be appropriate to both the extent of damage and the risk of future flood. As the risk increases the proposed standard of repair is more rigorous, effectively increasing the resilience or resistance of the building to flooding. Three levels of standards of repair are included in the guidance. For each standard of repair, guidance is provided for external walls, internal walls, floors, fenestration, basements, services and fittings. The guide contains illustrations of damage, surveys, drying and decontamination, and repair work to buildings. Appendices include guidance to homeowners, technical information, key organisations that can advise on flooding and information on the provision of insurance. The guidance is aimed primarily at building professionals and insurers experienced in flood damage and repair. It may also be used by general builders, surveyors and building-owners, including householders, for advice in commissioning repair work.