With forecasters predicting another wet winter it’s important to protect your home against the elements. Floods can cause chaos when they strike but there are a number of things you can do to minimise the damage to your home, your belongings and finances.
While the weather in Britain is a constant source of speculation, the damage caused by flooding is plain for everyone to see.
Over the past few years the areas across the UK have suffered from destructive flooding and with another wet winter on its way now’s the time to protect your home just in case. Here is a run through of what you need to do to make sure you’re prepared.
Keep Informed
Your first defence against flooding is being informed about its likelihood in your area so you you have as much advance warning as possible should the water start to rise.
To some extent all homes are at risk of flooding, however it is fair to say that some have a significantly greater risk due to their proximity to rivers or reservoirs.
To find out if your home falls into a ‘high risk’ category you should check the Flood Map provided by the Environment Agency, it will give you an idea if you live in an area prone to flooding.
Once you have established the level of flood risk your home faces, you can sign up to warning systems such as Floodline Warnings Direct. They will notify you of flood warnings in your area and this extra time might make the difference when it comes to protecting your belongings.
The Floodline contact telephone number is 0845 988 1188 and can be used to keep up to date with the latest flood information nationwide.
Be Prepared
The old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is certainly true when it comes to flooding. The cost of installing basic flood protection is often a fraction of the price of repairing flood damage.
So, if you have discovered that you live in an area prone to flooding there are a number of practical measures you can take to protect your home - ultimately saveing time and money.
It almost goes without saying that when a flood occurs your main priority should be to keep the water out of your home.
Here are 4 methods you can use to prevent water entering your home:
- Clear your drains
Having block drains and pipes will make it much more likely for your home to flood especially in cases of localised flooding where there is nowhere for the water to go. On a larger scale, where there may be too much water for them to cope with outright, having blocked drains will simply make a bad situation worse and give you less time to rescue your belongings. - Keep flood-proofing supplies to hand
Consider keeping a supply of sandbags & plywood in your home if you have the space available. These can be used to stem the flow of flood water and seal off doorways and windows quickly should the need arise. If you don't have the space you should contact your local council to find out whether they provide supplies of this nature, and if so where they are available from. - Consider installing non-returnable valves throughout your home
Although they can be costly to install, non-returnable valves can prevent flood water from coming up through your pipes and flooding you property. They work by allowing water to flow through the valve in only one direction, from your plug hole out to the sewer in most cases, while blocking rising water in the event of a flood. - Invest in temporary airbrick and vent covers
Store them in a convenient place and you'll be able to use them to prevent water from seeping into your home in the event of a flood.
A full range of flood protection products and suggestions for safeguarding your home can be found on the Flood Forum. Products designed for flood protection must reach minimum industry standards. Those that have been approved will display a Kitemark logo so it’s important to check for this. A full list of Kitemark approved flood protection companies can be found on the Kitemark website.
It's important to note that in the event of severe flooding, where water levels are several feet deep, it's possible that implementing water-proofing measures could cause damage to the structure of your home. This is because the flood water will exert significant pressure on its external walls.
If you have concerns that flood water may be causing damage to your home's structure you should contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for individual advice.
In addition to making practical changes you should also find out how to switch off your home’s electric and gas supply so that you can do it quickly in the event of a flood.
Protect your Belongings
One of the most distressing impacts of flooding is the damage it causes to your personal property. However, there are some steps you can take to protect your possessions against water damage.
Firstly, where ever possible, you should store any irreplaceable items or those with special sentimental value upstairs or raised off the floor on shelves.
Secondly, important documentation such as insurance and mortgage paperwork, certificates, receipts old photographs and bank statements should be kept in polythene folders for protection and stored upstairs where possible. You should also back up personal data from your laptops and PC at regular intervals too.
Mounting your television or hi-fi to the wall, and keeping valuables on high level shelves will mean you have more time to move them if it becomes necessary.
Cover Yourself
Checking that your building & contents insurance covers flood damage is essential if you live in a flood risk area. Although the cover may be a little more expensive, the damage caused by a flood can easily run well into the thousands if you home is hit, so it's well worth it.
If you are unsure whether your current policy will pay out for flood damage you should refer to your insurance policy summary, or contact your insurance provider directly to confirm.
If you have been hit by flooding in the past and are finding it difficult to get adequate insurance visit the British Insurance Brokers website, where you can search for a specialist broker who specialises in flood insurance especially for properties with a high flood risk.
Establish a Drill
Another way to limit water damage to your home is to put an action plan in place for when a flood strikes. There may be little time to act before water starts lapping at your door, so having a clear idea of your priorities makes sense.
You can download a customisable flood plan from the Environment Agency, this will help you ensure that you complete all the necessary steps in the event of a flood.
However, you should also make sure that all the essential emergency telephone numbers you might need are written down and kept in a safe place upstairs – these should include Floodline, your home insurance company, your gas & electric supplier, the local police & fire services as well as family and work numbers. In the event of the flood it’s unlikely you’ll have time (or be able to log onto the internet if you don’t own a smart phone) to get this information so make sure you have it to hand.
It’s also a good idea to decide which belongings you want to prioritise when it comes to moving your things to a dry place upstairs. Making a list of items that need to be moved in advance will stop you missing anything by mistake.
It is also advisable to prepare a flood emergency pack, this way you will have to hand the things you need to make dealing with a flood easier. Items you should include are a torch, food, drinking water, warm and waterproof clothing, medication, toys for children and pets, rubber gloves and wellington boots.
While it is difficult to fully prepare for the impact of severe flooding, implementing these tips could be the difference between an inconvenience and a life-shattering experience.
