There are lots of things you can do to prepare your home or business premises, so that if flooding happens the damage it causes to the building or your belongings is less extensive and therefore less costly.
Which options are suitable for your property?
This will depend on several factors, including:
- whether it is protected by a community flood defence;
- where the floodwater comes from (for example, a river, sewer, the sea, groundwater, rain), the likely depth of water and how much warning you'll get;
- the structure and location of the building and the type of ground it’s on.
It is important to seek professional advice, for example from a surveyor or architect, to help you decide on the best options available for your property.
Where can floodwater enter my property?
Floodwater can find its way into properties through a variety of routes including:
- around closed doorways;
- through airbricks and up through the ground floor;
- backflow through sewerage pipes with water discharging through ground floor toilets and sinks;
- through cable holes in external walls;
- seepage through external walls;
- seepage upwards through the ground then through flooring.
The most important thing is to prepare now by buying and installing flood products in advance. Don’t wait until flooding looks likely as you won’t have time to buy or put the measures in place.
