How to prevent flood water from entering your house

There are around five million people who live in flood-risk areas in England and Wales – one in six homes in England are at risk of flooding. Flooding is a risk that everyone should be cautious of in the UK, and while it’s not possible to floodproof your home completely, there are several measures you can take in order to prevent water from entering your house in the event of heavy rainfall.

Climates are changing so our flood preparation must change too. Measures you can take to reduce flood damage range from physical barriers to simply being aware of flood warnings. With that said, here are some ways you can prevent flood water from entering your home.

Flood preparation – be ready

Flooding can occur quickly and have severe implications. There are several things you can do to prepare for floods, and prevent the disastrous effects they could have on your home. Preparing your home for the worst possible outcome of a flood could help reduce potential damage, and also take away any stress.

Simply researching and knowing how to prevent flood water from entering your house is good preparation. A flood plan would be effective here – which brings us to our next point.

Create a flood plan

Your home’s potential damage from flooding can be minimised with a flood plan. This can also assist in the recovery process. A flood plan outlines the steps you should take both before and during a period of flooding, which therefore reduces the damage that flooding can cause.

Your local flood agency might have a template for a flood plan that you can access or download.Landlord content insurance can also protect your belongings and furniture in the event of a flood.

Check flood risks

You should first assess how at risk your home is when it comes to flood preparation. Knowing this could determine which actions you need to take to prepare your home for a flood. You could use an online flood risk tool or even ask your landlord insurer for any guidance.

Drain systems prevent water from entering your home

If you really want to know how to prevent flood water from entering your house, drainage systems are the answer. Rainwater downpipes direct rainwater away from buildings and can be part of guttering. Drains simply collect unwanted water on the ground to prevent build-up and flooding.

When heavy rainfall hits, water accumulates on the ground and on structures. Water on the ground will eventually find its way to the drains. Drainage systems eliminate this water. Rainwater that finds its way on roofs will escape your property via guttering drain systems.

Install extra drains

Water levels can be kept to a minimum with the installation of additional drains to the perimeter of your property. Channel drains can be installed to prevent water from getting to the property’s walls. Remember to keep your drains clean and clear so that they work effectively. Landlord building insurance can help you protect your investment in the event of flood damage to your home – just contact us today to find the perfect policy.

Use flood protection equipment 

You need to make your home resistant to water and flooding. There are numerous measures you could take. You could lay tiles on the floor instead of carpet, apply temporary seals for doors, and install removable barriers on your windows and doors. There are several options on how to prevent flood water from entering your house – namely, flood resistance and flood resilience measures.

Flood resistance measures

These measures prevent water from entering your home. To reduce the risk of sewage water backing up into a building during a flood, one-way valves should be installed on toilets and drainage pipes. Another option is removable barriers on your doors. You could even install a pump and sump system. Temporary seals are another measure to prevent water entry.

If it’s a severe emergency, use sandbags, place plastic covers on air bricks and acquire flood protection barriers. Consider the many insurance types from CIA Landlord Insurance to help with your flooding risks.

Flood resilience measures

If water does enter, flood resilience will help ensure the damage is kept to a minimum. This does not prevent flood water from entering your home completely. One typical solution is to use tiles rather than carpet.

To go beyond this, use ceramic tiles rather than laminate or wood flooring to prevent water from entering as easily. Swapping your wooden window frames for UPVC is another viable measure to take.

The importance of landlord building insurance

An insurer that will still provide you with flood insurance despite your property being in a high-risk location for flooding is a good one. However, at CIA Landlord Insurance, we would always highly recommend that you invest in an insurance policy that addresses all potential risks to your home – not just flooding. When looking for a new insurance policy, read the policy carefully and check that flooding is covered.

It is recommended that you get the appropriate landlord building insurance for your home if it is at risk of flooding or has experienced a flood in the past. Landlord building insurance is important for covering you in the case of unforeseen events.

As a reputable intermediary, we at CIA Landlord Insurance can help make sure you attain the best landlord building insurance policy for your needs. Just get in touch with us today for a free competitive quote.