11 Best Flood Defences to Protect Your Home
What are the best ways to defend against flooding?
Flooding can really mess up homes. It causes a lot of damage, brings financial troubles, & can be super emotional too. You can’t make a home completely flood-proof, but doing some things can help a lot! Sandbags, water ingress seals, pressure barriers are all effective. This guide will give you handy tips on protecting your home from floods, whether you’re getting ready or fixing things after one.
How do I find out our flood risks?
Flooding isn’t just a worry for homes by rivers. Nowadays, with the weather changing, sudden floods are becoming more common. So, it’s very important to know how at risk your home is! The Environment Agency says about one in six properties in England and Wales could flood. You can check your flood risk easily using your postcode on the government’s Flood Warnings for England webpage. Even if you’re not in the high-risk zone, heavy rain can still cause big problems.
What Increases Your Flood Risk?
There are a few things that can make a home more likely to flood:
- Close to Water: Homes near rivers, lakes or the ocean are more at risk.
- Flat Land: Low areas collect more water during heavy rain.
- Too Much Concrete: Cities have lots of hard surfaces that don’t soak up water, so it just runs off.
- Climate Change: More rainfall and rising sea levels lead to worse flooding.
Quick Flood Protection Tips:
1. Sandbags
Sandbags have been around forever! They’re made from woven fabric & filled with sand—they soak up water and block it from coming in. While they need a bit of work to set up & are usually single-use, they do a good job keeping water out of doors and holding down stuff in your yard.
2. Water-Gate Flood Barriers
These barriers are cool! Water-Gate barriers pop up when you roll them out and use the weight of the water to seal tight. They are super-fast to set up and can be used almost anywhere! Many homeowners & organizations trust these because they’re easy & can be reused.
3. Air Brick Covers
Air bricks let air flow but can also let water inside—yikes! Putting covers on them is an easy & cheap fix to keep water out. After the floods are gone, you just take off covers and let everything dry.
4. Toilet Seat Pans
Toilet seat pans stop nasty floodwater & sewage from getting in through your toilets. They’re simple to put on & take off—just another way to keep your home safe!
5. Quick-Release Internal Doors
These doors are neat! You can take them out easily before floods hit so they won’t soak up any water later. Great idea for places that flood often!
Lasting Flood Defences:
1. Non-Return Valves
Putting non-return valves on pipes stops sewage from flowing back into your home if there’s flooding outside. They’re not too costly & really help reduce damage!
2. Water-Resistant Skirting Boards
Switching wooden skirting boards for plastic ones helps keep water out better & makes cleaning up easier afterwards—a real win-win!
3. Raised Electrical Sockets
By raising electrical sockets above where flood levels might hit, you protect them from getting damaged during a flood. It might cost some money upfront but saves money later!
4. Water-Resistant Air Bricks
These bricks don’t let water in while letting air circulate—pretty clever! Just remember they need some upkeep.
5. Permanent Flood Barriers
Flood doors & gates are solid choices! They offer strong protection against incoming water if installed at doorways etc. Initial costs might be high, but they need little maintenance and last long.
6. Smart Landscaping
Good landscaping helps, too! Creating slopes around your home or using materials that let water seep in can help keep water away from your doorsteps.
Modifying your garden so it is a natural water sink is another great way to handle excess water. Search How to make your garden flood proof? for more help.
7. Packing an Emergency Kit
Having an emergency kit is key if floods happen! Fill a bag with these important things so you’re all set when you need them:
- Medications: Don’t forget any prescriptions!
- First Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptics—you know the drill.
- Water & Food: Enough supplies for at least 72 hours (plus a can opener).
- Kids’ Stuff: Diapers, cozy blankets, baby food—whatever keeps them comfy.
- Pet Stuff: Food, bedding, meds—anything they’ll need!
- Warm Clothing: Stay dry during escapes.
- Wellington Boots: Perfect for splashing through puddles.
- Blankets: Always great for warmth!
- Charger & Mobile Phone: To keep connected with loved ones.
- Flashlight + Extra Batteries: LED choices save energy!
- Important Numbers List: Local council info plus insurance contacts.
- Copies of Important Docs: Bank info & insurance policies must be handy!
- Camping Stove + Gas Canister + Kettle: For warm food/drinks if needed.
- Matches: Light fires or stoves when needed most!
FAQs
- Will my home flood?
- Check your postcode on the government’s site to see the flood risk.
- How can I quickly keep my home safe from flooding?
- Grab some sandbags, turn off water & electricity, then move your upstairs.
- What are the easiest & cheapest ways to protect my home from floods?
- Stock up on sandbags! Also, varnish wooden skirting boards & put air brick covers in place.
- What if I have extra time and some cash to make my home more flood-proof?
- Consider installing non-return valves, using water-resistant skirting boards, or raising those electrical sockets.
- How do I stop groundwater from coming in?
- You can use a pump, or you might want to waterproof your basement!
- Is flooding covered by my insurance?
- Look over your policy & talk with your insurance broker for the details.
- What’s the best way to clean up after a flood?
- First, call your insurance company. Document everything that’s damaged & just follow their steps.
- What should I pack in an emergency kit?
- Pack medicine, a first aid kit, water, non-perishable food, warm clothes, blankets, and important papers too!
By taking these simple steps, you really can lessen the effects of flooding on your home! Being prepared is key. A bit of planning & investing in flood defences now can help you avoid big problems later on. So, stay informed, stay ready, and most importantly – stay safe!
