According to Friends of the Earth, the UK is 7% wetter than it used to be with rainfall increasing over the past 40 years.¹ While these seemingly incremental changes and low figures may seem to be no cause for great alarm, the extreme weather we see around the globe tells a different story. Out of six of the wettest UK winters on record, five have occurred since the year 2000.²
Historically, in the UK, heavy storms and rainfall, and flash flooding has resulted in severe damage and destruction to homes and business premises across the country. In response to this, our article looks at how to protect your home from flooding and what flood protection methods you can put in place to mitigate the often-devastating loss of your home and business.
How to protect your home from flooding – Flood protection solutions
Pre-construction
Flood Risk Map
If you’re thinking of building a standard or non-standard construction property, establishing whether the land falls into a flood risk zone is a key consideration. GOV.UK has an online option where you can find out whether your land or existing property is in a flood risk area through typing in your postcode.
Flood History
To find out the flooding history of your property or land, the GOV.UK website also has an option to request this information from the Environment Agency.
Flood Protection Methods
There are several actions you can take to mitigate the risk of damage to your property from floodwater.
Flood Barriers
Flood barriers are measured and installed to fit your door frame, so that they just slide into place before a flood happens. The flood barriers will form a solid barrier across your doorway and will prevent water from flowing into your property.
Air Brick Covers
Airbricks are located near the bottom of your outside walls (if your property is built from bricks). They are the size of a standard brick and have small air holes which help ventilate the construction and enable your property to ‘breathe’. However, they can also let in up to 50,000 litres of water every hour, which, if your house is flooding, can cause serious damage.³ Installing airbrick covers before a flood, helps prevent water from entering through the airbrick holes.
Sandbags
Sandbags can be sourced in DIY shops and builders’ merchants. Stack sandbags around your property, focusing on vulnerable areas such as doorways, patio doors and other entrances located in a lower position as they can act as a flood defence against water entering your home.
Sandbags should be disposed of after they have been used as a barrier for a flood, because they are considered to be contaminated (often with oils and sewage) once they make contact with floodwater. Keep unused sandbags in a shady place to prolong their lifespan. The sacking material used in sandbags is usually biodegradable. Empty the sand in your outside area for future use and store the bags in a cool, dry place for reuse.
Flood Protection Plan
If the weather forecast warns of heavy rain, listen out for weather reports on the local TV, radio and internet, if you have access. Or you can telephone Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Pre-Flood Preparations
Preparing for a flood before it impacts on your home is crucial. Steps to take should include:
- Turn off electricity, gas, and water. Do not use any electrical switches if water is in your property.
- Install any flood barriers or air brick covers.
- Move people, pets, and valuable or important items to upstairs or to a place on higher ground.
- Move vehicles to higher ground.
- Lift curtains above the rails and move rugs upstairs (if possible).
- Be prepared to evacuate your property. Your local emergency services or council will advise on this.
- If you own pets and animals, you will need to make plans for where they can be kept, source carriers for smaller animals, and keep enough food and medicines for them.
If you are insured or looking for insurance, your insurer or insurance broker might need evidence of your property’s flood risk. You can get this from the Environment Agency by telephoning 03708 506 506 or emailing enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Insurance for non-standard and standard construction properties
Naturesave is a long-standing specialist in providing ethical insurance for standard and non-standard construction properties, including contents. We are known for providing insurance coverage for eco-homes, hybrid eco-homes, wattle-and-daub, straw bale houses, completed self-build homes and timber-framed properties.
All types of domestic renewable energy systems are insured as standard through the policies we source. Insurance covers mechanical breakdown; material damage, for example, storm, lightning, theft, and fire; public liability and loss of revenue. Systems covered include:
- Heat pumps
- Solar panels
- Micro-hydro systems
- Biomass boilers
If you would like to find out more about the ethical insurers we work with, or if you would like to discuss insurance for your home or non-standard construction, we’re here.
Book a free ethical home insurance consultation:
Get a quote
Or call: 01803 869 772
- https://policy.friendsoftheearth.uk/insight/flooding-england-getting-worse
- https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-improving/how-can-i-flood-proof-my-home/
- https://www.ukflooddefencealliance.com/product/floodtite-airbrick-covers/#:~:text=The%20Airbrick%20Cover%20consists%20of,to%20achieve%20BSI%20Kitemark%20Certification.
