For those that have sadly experienced it and have gone through the pain to bring their properties back to a liveable state, the potential risk of flooding never really subsides and is always at the back of your mind…even when we do have lovely weather, which we are all experiencing up and down the UK. However, if you do live in an area that can be prone to flooding, what exactly can you do?

At the Property Care Association (PCA) we are taking the opportunity to remind and advise property owners of the steps that can be taken to minimise flood damage to homes and businesses. By simply downloading our online flood protection guide, home and property owners can gain some valuable insight into keeping their homes and buildings dry and safe.

Flood Protection Guide >>

Expert advice on flood protection and resilience

This free guide offers information and advice on mitigating the flood risk to homes and businesses and how to find expert advice on protection and resilience measures.

The one thing that is important to point out throughout the tips below and within the downloadable guide is – when it comes to flood protection there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer. It is not just a case of buying products off the shelf. But there are steps people can take to protect their homes and businesses.

Top tips for managing flooding

In the event of a flood and to help manage the situation, there are a few key steps which can be taken:

1. Defend your door: Floodwater can often enter a home via a doorway, sometimes running straight through the house or business between external doors. Doorway flood protection can help prevent this. Some products are designed to be fitted in front of external doors if flooding is imminent. There are also specially designed exterior ‘flood defence’ doors that look like a ‘normal’ door but have a BSI Kitemark and prevent water ingress. These will work even if you are not in the property when flooding occurs.
2. Let it breathe: Airbricks can be a point of entry for floodwater and need a specific type of cover to allow them to work while preventing water getting through the gaps. One-use adhesive cover strips are ideal for low-risk areas, while screw-on covers, or those that clip on to fastenings are also available. Replacement airbricks that look and function as normal, but are self-closing when exposed to rising water, are another option.
3. Stop the flow: Sewage can enter a property via the toilet, while floodwater will take the easiest route, which may include flowing into pipes connected to appliances such as the washing machine. Anti back flow valves can be fitted which prevent water coming back up through the plumbing to combat both, while ‘toilet bungs’ are another barrier against sewage.
4. Plug the gaps: Floodwater may seep through gaps in mortar or cracked bricks. These should be repaired and coated with a sealant that is resilient to leaking but allows the bricks to breathe.
5. Think resilience: Moving plug sockets higher up walls, installing tiled floors on concrete and replacing skirting boards with plastic or a resilient wood such as oak, coated with several layers of yacht varnish, can reduce the amount of repairs needed after a flood event.

PCA Flood Protection Group

At the PCA, we are proud to have a dedicated Flood Protection Group chaired by flood campaigner Mary Dhonau OBE – which gives householders the confidence to find PCA surveyors and contractors who specialise in flood protection and resilience works.

PCA members are rigorously checked and audited to ensure their technical competence. They can provide an in-depth analysis and bespoke flood protection plan for homes and businesses, and can undertake any flood protection or resilience work.

Remember to keep in the loop…

Find out the latest news instantly by following the PCA via our social media channels: