New Zealand has always been a land of dramatic weather — but in recent years, the frequency and severity of flooding events has reached a level that few of us were prepared for. From Northland to Central Otago, thousands of Kiwi families have found themselves in the same heartbreaking situation. If you're one of them, you're not alone. Acting quickly and logically can make a huge difference to what can be saved — and what your insurer will cover.
1.Safety first
Before you set foot back inside your home, confirm it's safe to do so. Check with your local Civil Defence or council that your property has been cleared for re-entry. Flooding can compromise structural integrity, and there may be live electrical hazards or contaminated water present. Never enter a flooded property if power is still connected.
2. Document everything - immediately
After personal safety, this is the most important step you can take, and it needs to happen before you move, remove, or touch anything.
Take photos and videos of every affected room. Capture close-ups of waterline marks on curtain fabric and hems, blinds that have warped or buckled, shutters may show staining and hardware that have been submerged. These images are your evidence for your insurance claim. The more thorough you are, the smoother the process will be.
Write down dates and times of each action taken and include any costs incurred — professional cleaning, temporary replacements, tradespeople and assessors.
3. Remove wet curtains and fabric blinds as soon as you can
Saturated fabric holds enormous amounts of moisture and, left hanging, will accelerate mould growth on both the fabric itself and the surrounding walls and window frames.
If you can remove your curtains or blinds, keep them as intact for insurance purposes. Lay them flat or hang them outside if weather allows.
4. Assess your blinds and shutters carefully
Not all window coverings respond to flood damage the same way. Timber shutters and wooden venetian blinds are particularly vulnerable to warping and swelling that is often irreversible. PVC and aluminium blinds may fare better but can still suffer damage to tracks and hardware.
5. Dry the space aggressively
Once the window coverings have been removed, focus on airflow around window recesses, reveals, and walls. These areas trap moisture and are a common source of mould growth. Use fans to circulate air, and hire a commercial dehumidifier if needed.
6. Prevent mould from taking hold
Mould can grow very quickly in wet conditions and fabric window coverings are especially susceptible. Most surface mould can be treated with a disinfectant solution, but if it has spread through fabric or into shutter panels, contact a professional — disturbing it without the right precautions can spread spores throughout the home.
Harrisons supporting you through your insurance claim
Harrisons Curtain and Blind experts live and work in communities right across New Zealand. When a flood event hits your town, it often hits ours too. Our people aren't dispatched from a distant head office; they're part of the same community, and they understand first-hand the stress and emotional toll that flood damage brings.
A professional assessment from Harrisons carries real weight with your insurer. Window coverings vary enormously in material, construction, and value and we can advise what can be cleaned and restored versus what needs a full replacement.
We have worked directly with homeowners following flood events and we know what insurers look for when assessing claims. Our team can help with your claim documentation, communicate directly with your insurer or loss adjuster if necessary, and provide repair and replacement quotes.
We're here, we're local, and we're ready to help.
