British homeowners have expressed concerns about the risk of flooding in their properties – with one in ten admitting they are worried about their homes being affected by water damage.
This is according to new data from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, which found that 11 per cent of Brits state they feel anxious about the safety of their property, due to rising water levels. Regionally, 16 per cent of people in the East of England are worried about increased flooding, while in London, 14 per cent of residents admit to concerns. Fifteen per cent of homeowners in the South East admit to being concerned, with those living in the South West most worried about an increase in flooding, with 19 per cent stating they are anxious about the issue.
This year has so far seen extremely high levels of rain, with February recorded as one of the wettest ever on record. Flash flooding has been an issue in the country as torrential downpours have been widespread across the nation and have continued so far in April.
While some homes are obviously more susceptible than others to flooding or water damage, knowing how to protect your property is valuable information, as water levels continue to rise.
Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com, explains that if you have concerns about the possibility of your home being damaged by floods, there are steps you can take to prevent damage.
“While the likelihood is that the majority of British homes are safe from any real danger of flooding, it’s undeniable that we are seeing high water levels and flash flooding.
“Hopefully most of us will never have to deal with this issue, but for those who live close to rivers or the coast, or in high-risk areas, it’s wise to know what steps to take.
“We’ve put together some tips to help you assess how likely it is that your home will be affected – and then what actions to take to protect your property.”
If you are concerned about flooding in your property, MyBuilder.com, here are some top tips from MyBuilder.com. has the following advice:
Will your property flood?
If your property is located near a flood plain or any sort of water body, you may be more obviously at risk. However, the best way to find out if your home could have issues is to check out previous data. Has your property ever flooded before? If so, when, and was there much damage? For a small fee, you can request the flooding history of your property via the Environment Agency or in some cases the local flood authority within your local council.
Sign up for flood warnings
Once you have ascertained the likelihood of flooding, you might want to consider signing up for a flood warning. There are three levels of flood warnings: alert, warning, and severe warning. Alerts will help you know the severity of the flood, and what actions to take and hopefully give you enough notice to complete the necessary steps. This service is available at the Gov website.
Protect your home
It’s always imperative to ensure you have suitable home insurance (buildings and contents), but if you suspect you are at risk of flooding, check you have the correct policy. Beyond adequate insurance, always make sure you check your property is as watertight as possible. To do this, examine your window and door frames for any gaps, and look at the sealing between your floors and skirting boards. Eliminating gaps is important.
Prepare a flood plan
Preparation is key in the event of flooding in your home. Ensure you have all key contact details, such as local emergency services, utility companies, and insurance providers. Also practise shutting off your gas and electricity, as should your property flood this is essential. MyBuilder.com research showed that 19% of homeowners couldn’t locate their switches for services and it’s vital you can in an emergency. Prepare a package of a small amount of food and water, warm clothing, and a torch, and store it somewhere safe so it can be quickly and easily retrieved during an emergency. It’s wise to have a plan as to where you and your family can go in the event of a flood, in both the short and medium term.
Store key documents and valuables
Passports, birth certificates, car keys, jewellery, laptops and other key valuables should be stored in watertight containers, and if possible taken with you if a flood hits. Ideally, store these items away from the ground floor so that they are safe should water breach your property.
Elevate your furniture and electrics
If a flood is likely to reach your home, and it is safe to do so, consider elevating your furniture around 12 inches (30 cm) to avoid water damage. Use your upper floors to store furniture and items if it’s possible and you have time, but if not, kitchen worktops, stairs, or built-in shelving could be a good place for smaller items. For larger items, consider making “stilts” to put them on. Be sure to use stilts that will not soak up the water, or put a waterproof barrier between the stilt and the furniture. If your house is a flood risk, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and move your electrical sockets 12 inches off the ground too.
Windows and doors
Having flood proof windows and doors installed by an expert is a valuable way to protect your house from floods. Flood proof windows and doors not only resist the pressure of rising flood water but also can withstand the impact of debris associated with flooding. Prices for flood doors range from £1,500 to £2,500.
Treat masonry
It’s relatively inexpensive to treat your masonry with water sealer. Easily available, you can purchase it from most DIY stores, but it might be better to get a professional in to do the best possible job. In the event of a flood, treated masonry could prevent some ingress if the bricks are submerged.
Get a damp course
Check your damp proof course (DPC) is in good condition and consider suring it up with an additional chemical DPC. This may be beneficial not just for flooding but also to prevent damp related issues inside your home in generally damp and cold weather.
Flood barriers and gates
Flood barriers are fitted with stainless steel, plastic or solid units installed. Flood gates use a system that expands within the doorframe to create a watertight seal up to 26 inches high. Amazingly a single floodgate can provide better protection than over 50 sandbags but cost in the region of £500 to install.
Featured Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash.
