Resistance Measures

Flood barriers can be installed across doorways, gateways or other openings to stop water from entering a building. Barriers are demountable, so they can be easily fitted when there is a risk of flooding, and then removed and stored away when not needed.

Flood doors automatically create a water resistant seal when closed. This provides a benefit over flood barriers which have to be manually fitted into place when required. Flood windows are also available and can be used to replace standard windows at flood risk.

Standard garden gates can be replaced with flood resistant flood gates. Like a flood door, once shut and locked, a water resistant seal is formed. Gates can be used around a property perimeter to keep water away from a building.

Many buildings have airbricks located at ground level around the perimeter for ventilation. These can be replaced with automatic airbricks that allow for air to circulate but do not allow water to enter.

Air vents that are at flood risk should be removed and sealed if redundant. If the air vents are in use, it is advisable to raise them above flood level or as high as possible. When air vents cannot be raised above flood level, protection options should be discussed with and provided by the specialist contractor and approved by a HETAS gas safe engineer.

Where a property has a basement or a suspended floor, flood water can enter these voids and cause damage. A sump pump can be installed to control the water level by pumping water out at a faster rate than it is entering. This manages the water level and stops it from rising significantly which could cause damage to the building.

If flood water enters a property the water level can rise. This can damage the fabrication of the building and the valuable possessions within. Portable pumps can be used in combination with other measures, or as a backup to manage flooding if water does enter the building.

Flood water can flow up through wastewater pipes leading to flooding within a property. Non-return valves can be fitted to these pipes so wastewater can flow out, but flood water cannot enter. Non-return valves can also be fitted to the foul sewer, preventing sewage backing up through the system if the main sewer network is also impacted by flooding. If a non-return valve cannot be fitted, a bung can be used to block the toilet.

The ground floor of a property can be tanked internally to reduce the ingress of water through the walls and floor. Tanking can be particularly beneficial for buildings that are affected by groundwater flooding, however it can be costly and disruptive to install.

Floodwater can enter properties via the gaps around wires and pipes in walls. Silicone can be used to seal these gaps and increase resilience.

Gaps or cracks in walls can allow flood water to enter. Re-pointing helps to seal these ingress routes, improving the overall condition of the wall and reducing water ingress.

If flood water stays in contact with a building for a long period of time, it can soak through the wall. A waterproof breathable spray can be applied to external walls to reduce this.