Protect Your Property

One in six UK homes are currently at risk of flooding, with climate change likely to increase this risk even further. Even if you haven't flooded before it's worth being prepared just in case the worst should happen.

 

Cartoon flooded house icon. Flood water is past the door level and the car is submerged.

Property flood resilience measures

There are some simple measures that you can take – and products you can buy – that can protect your property and limit damage during a flood. This could save you money and heartache, as well as allowing you to return to your property much sooner.

This guide sets out six steps to help you understand the process of preparing for flooding and installing property flood protection. You can also read more below:

Step one - Check your flood risk

You can check your flood risk online or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. This will help you understand your risk of flooding from rivers, surface water, and reservoirs.

Step two - Make a flood plan

Flooding can happen very quickly, giving you little time to act. Create a flood plan for your home, business, or community and share it with those who need to see it. It could help minimise damage and protect your loved ones, employees, and neighbours.

Step three - Do the groundwork

Before undertaking any work on your property, you will need to check your insurer’s policy on flood resilience technologies. The Association of British Insurers or the British Insurance Brokers Association may be able to suggest insurers that specialise in flood risk cover.

The next important step will be a survey of your property. You can choose a manufacturer’s survey or an independent survey. The Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has a list of professional chartered surveyors that you can browse by postcode.

Tradesman using a drill.
Step four - Choose the right products

A combination of flood measures offer the best way to protect your property and minimise recovery costs. You should consider:

  • Resistance measures - designed to keep floodwater out
  • Resilience measures - designed to reduce damage when water enters

If you're looking to invest in property flood resilience products, you may find this guide helpful. Flood resilience products do not guarantee that your home will be completely protected from all flood events, but they should minimise any damage.

Step five - Choose the right installer

Find an installer you can trust with this guide to choosing the right tradespeople.

Please note: that there will be special considerations if you own a listed building, or you are located in a conservation area. In this case, please refer to the Historic England guide Flooding and Historic Buildings that will direct you to specialist advice.

Step six - Keep products in good working order

All products will need to be periodically checked, tested and maintained:

  • Practice installing products such as flood barriers
  • Check mechanisms on products like flood doors and valves regularly to ensure that they are in good working order
  • Take care if having any alterations made to existing products such as flood doors as these may invalidate manufacturers’ warranties
Big splash of rain fall.
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