Flood Proofing Your House

The winter of 2013-2014 has seen most parts of the UK affected by flooding, causing damage to thousands of homes, and seriously affecting people’s lives. Despite efforts by our local councils to improve our flood defenses many homes and business still remain vulnerable.  Though it is impossible to completely flood proof your home there are steps which you can be take to help lower the risk of flooding, therefore limiting the risk of damage.

What Parts of My Home Will Allow Water to Penetrate My Property?

There are many different routes in which floods can enter your property.

The most common places are doors and patios however it can also enter your property through air bricks, exposed walls and gaps in floors. Drains and pipes are another area water can enter through which isn’t as widely known, but can be just as destructive. This can occur when the pressure builds up, the flow of the water can reverse therefore will enter your house through sinks, toilets and washing machines.

How Do I Prevent or Limit The Amount of Water Entering My Property?

To prevent or limit the amount of damage there are two avenues you could take, the first by taking flood resistant measures, or secondly, making your building flood resilient.

What Does Flood Resistant Mean?

Flood resistance means to prevent water entering your home in the first place. Methods such as sand bags can help for short periods, when used in conjunction with plastic sheeting, preventing contaminated substances entering your property.

Flood Resistant Products:

• Guards- these can be quickly fittedto stop water seeping through gaps in external doors.
• Covers- thesecan be fitted over ventilation bricks again preventing water penetrating brick work.
• “Non return” values– when fitted to drain-pipes this could allow water to back-up during a flood.

What Does Flood Resilient Mean?

Flood resilient isthe ability to cope with flooding, and to recover from flooding.

If you live in a flood prone area having tiled flooring, non-fixed carpets, high plug sockets and wall mounted TV’s will help to limit damage if flooding was to occur. For further information on flood proofing your house, please do not hesitate to contact Speedy Plastics and Resins on local number (0844) 8586670, and our team will be delighted to help.