When a Grade I listed church was flooded at Christmas, we sprang into action to keep the choir singing.
The incident
Following a tidal surge in the North Sea, many towns on the Lincolnshire coast experienced severe flooding. We were called out to rescue St Botolph’s, a 14th-century Gothic church by the river in Boston after flood water reached a depth of one metre in parts of the building. The North and South transepts, nave and chancel of this historic, Grade I listed building were all affected.
Being close to Christmas, it was an especially busy time of year, however, the church was completely out of action following the flood, with silt and mud strewn throughout. Wooden pews and the plinths on which the choir usually stood were saturated, making them extremely vulnerable.
Our Initial Response
Once the claim was received, we got to work, conducting an immediate clean-up operation of the chancel. We cleared debris, allowing St Botolph’s advent service to go ahead (albeit in a limited way) the following Sunday.
Our technicians carried out a full damage inspection and created a comprehensive report for the insurers, to support the church’s claim.
Ongoing work
We brought in specialist drying equipment to save the wooden plinths, installing a bespoke injection system to deliver desiccated air beneath them to thoroughly drive moisture out of the wood. To avoid damage to the heritage building, we carefully adapted our injection equipment to fit pre-existing holes in the plinths, rather than making new air inlets.
The Outcome
The speed of our response allowed all the pre-planned church services to go ahead, to the relief of the clergy, local congregation and churchwardens. As well as helping to facilitate Advent and Christmas services, we saved the saturated wooden plinths, allowing the choir to get back to normal, and avoiding the costly, lengthy process of having them removed and replaced.
View more case studies
Discover how Richfords has restored lives and livelihoods following devastating fire and water damage.
-
Keeping a historic church above water
Following a devastating leak in a block of flats, we saw first-hand how immediate action can significantly reduce claims costs.
-
Quick response saves apartment block
Following a devastating leak in a block of flats, we saw first-hand how immediate action can significantly reduce claims costs.
-
Caring for a care home after a flood
When stormwater inundated a care home, we devised a low-carbon drying solution to return residences to normal.