With climate change now causing noticeable and significant changes to Britain’s weather, it’s opened up a wider discussion to homeowners about what they need to do to protect their homes from flooding.
Having your home flooding is upsetting and stressful and can be incredibly expensive and complicated when it comes to remediating the damage, depending on severity. We’ve compiled a list of tips and things to know to ensure your home is protected as best as it can be.
Understanding Your Level of Risk
With the UK weather going to more extremes year on year, areas in the country are now more susceptible to flooding than they ever have been. We are receiving more rainfall on average than previous years, with the Met Office reporting 10% more rainfall than the second half of the 20th century, along with sea levels rising in the UK by almost 20cm since 1905. Not only are areas that were previously at risk of flooding now experiencing more of it, areas that hadn’t initially been at risk now are.
Worried about your home being susceptible to potential future flooding? Check the government website here to find out if your property is at a long-term risk of flooding.
Securing your home from flooding
There are a number of preventative measures you can take to ensure your home is well-equipped against flooding.
Raising Electrical Sockets
A fairly straightforward answer with slight technical difficulty, raising electrical sockets higher than anticipated flood levels is an extremely effective way at protecting the electrical circuit in your home and increasing safety for you and your family. Water seeping into electrical sockets can cause significant damage and can also carry the risk of electrical shorts and live water.
You will need to have an electrician require the ground floor so cables and conduits come down from the ceiling, as opposed to running up from the floor. Sockets and switches should be raised to at least 1.5 metres from the floor of your property. Utility meters can also be raised but will need advice and support from your network operator to complete this.
Gutters and Drainage
Your gutters and drainage systems are a key player in helping mitigate water getting into your property. Having them clear of debris can help water flow as much as it can in cases of flooding. Likewise, blocked gutters can also lead to damp penetration in pinpoint parts of your property.
Drains and pipes can also exacerbate flooding if these parts are damaged or blocked. Water can build up quite quickly and cause flooding to reverse the flow and result in a back up of water. From there, flood water can come into your home via toilets, sinks, and washing machines. It is worth having a plumber assess and see if there is any damage to remediate.
Doors and Patios
Doors and patios are, unsurprisingly, a major entry point for floodwater. Normal doors and windows are not perfectly sealed. However, homeowners can replace them with specialist flood doors that have watertight seals that can withstand flood water for several hours. There are a range of options available, meaning you can replace most doors in your home, including garage doors. Removable flood barriers can also be fitted to your doors, patios, garages, and ground floor windows. These can be stored and put in place during a flood risk.
Check the Environment Agency’s Flood Warning System
It is important to check if your property is potentially at risk of flooding the area. The government’s Environment Agency monitors all areas of the UK and you are able to check:
- If you are at immediate risk of flooding in your area
- If there is a chance of flooding within the next 5 days
- If there is a chance of flooding could impact on your property in the future
You can also sign up to the Environment Agency website for immediate warnings of flooding. Signing up is completely free so it is definitely a worthwhile procedure especially if you are looking to buy a property in an area that is completely new to you.
Types of Flood Resistant Products
The type of protection against flooding if it is an emergency has been traditionally the use of sandbags. Using sandbags are particularly effective if you are in need of an emergency, however, they can be difficult to dispose of and take up a lot of space. There are more long term effective procedures that should be carried out when protecting your property from flooding with water-resistant barriers, flood resistant doors and self-sealing bricks.
Basement Waterproofing
Flooded basements can be a nightmare to drain effectively and damp penetration from flooding can cause a wide range of future problems, such as structural damage, wet rot, and woodworm. Basement waterproofing is a good preventive measure to take to ensure your basement is protected as well as it can be in this instance. At Timberwise, we can assess your property and help design an effective waterproofing solution that works with your home and budget.
Non-Return Valves and Drain Protection
Floodwater can enter properties through drainage systems when sewers become overwhelmed. Non-return valves, also known as backflow prevention valves, are fitted to drainage pipes and prevent wastewater from flowing back into the home. This change can reduce water reversing into your property through toilets, sinks, and plugholes during floods.
Cavity Wall Drainage
Cavity wall drainage allows for water that seeps into walls to be managed and drained away from the property, meaning that water doesn’t penetrate and stay there to cause damage. Specialist drainage membranes are installed on walls and floors to create a gap where water can collect and flow into channels. The water is then directed to a sump pump or drainage outlet for removal from the building.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are commonly installed in basements and cellars to remove water that accumulates below ground level. Water collects in a sump chamber and is automatically pumped away from the property before it can cause significant damage. Many modern systems include battery backup units, ensuring they continue operating even during power outages, which can occur during severe weather events. At Timberwise, we also offer sump pumps and can assist in installation and maintenance.
Waterproof Coatings and Tanking Systems
Waterproof coatings can be applied to basement walls, floors, and foundations to help prevent water penetration. For higher-risk properties, a full tanking system may be installed to create a waterproof barrier around below-ground rooms. These systems are often used alongside cavity drainage membranes and sump pumps to provide a comprehensive waterproofing solution.
During a flood
Act Quickly
If you find that your home is in the process of being flooded, act quick. Turn off the electricity, gas, and water supplies – although it is crucial you do not touch electrical switches if you are standing in water. Put sandbags outside your doors. Any important or sentimental items should be moved to the first floor of your home, if you have one. Important documents, electronics, and anything else deemed of value should be moved first before anything else. If you have time, you can move on to other items, including larger pieces. Ensure your family and pets are on higher ground and then proceed to wait it out until it’s over. Do not go back to lower ground until the water has cleared.
Remove the Water
There will be some water remaining in your property after the flood has abated. In order to shift the remaining water, you will need a pump and a very large bucket. This is a messy and time-consuming job so wear protective clothing and say yes to anyone who offers to help you.
Cleaning the Area and Drying It
Flood water is dirty and traces will need to be thoroughly cleaned up. Floods also cause significant destruction so there may be fixes and replacements needed throughout the property. The water won’t have just damaged the surface level of your home. It will have seeped into cracks and caused damage that isn’t fully noticeable right away. In that instance, it might be worth getting a damp removal specialist to come in and assess how much water is in your property.
Beyond that, it is important that you focus your efforts into drying out your home, as it can take a long time to fully achieve. Keep your home well-ventilated and ensure that the property’s temperature stays at least at 22 degrees.
Summary
Flooding is one of the most destructive things that can happen to your home. It can be stressful and overwhelming to manage, which is why it’s best to leave it to the professionals. At Timberwise, we offer cosmetic and structural repair for homes damaged by floods. We can also ensure that your home has been made waterproof, preventing further damage later along the line.
