How To Prepare Your Home
Against Flood Damage
The ABI and National Flood Forum offer the following guidance to help households reduce flood damage.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the National Flood Forum (NFF) have joined forces to launch guidelines to help homeowners reduce flood damage. With the extensive flooding that has taken place this summer all over the UK it is wise for everyone to take precautions agianst flooding - whether they live near to rivers or not.
Examples of cost effective measures are:
- moving electrical wiring and sockets above flood heights;
- replacing gypsum plaster and plasterboard with more water-resistant materials;
- replacing the usual chipboard kitchen or bathroom units with plastic or steel equivalents; and,
- installing one-way valves to prevent sewage backing up into the house.
Jane Milne, the ABI’s Head of Household and Property, said:
“If your home is likely to be flooded then it makes sense to put your own protection in place. Flood repairs can take months, meaning you have to be out of your home, and costs can be £30,000 or more. But investing in flood proofing measures can radically reduce damage, getting you back home in days and helping to reduce the misery which floods bring.”
Implementing measures to protect your property against damage in a flood can avoid long periods out of your home and save thousands of pounds in repair costs.
Mary Dhonau of The National Flood Forum, said:
“Preparing your home against the risk of flooding will not only protect from damage but also the ordeal and stress that being away from your home can cause. Just taking a few cost-effective steps could mean that repairs take a lot less time than would have ordinarily been the case.”
Climate change is expected to increase the risk of flooding considerably across much of the UK. In January last year Carlisle experienced rainfall in just two days of over 20cm.
David Rooke, the Environment Agency’s Head of Flood Risk Management said:
“This work represents an important part of a greater initiative to help communities become more resilient, and live more comfortably with flood risk. I hope that as a result people will be better able to take action to help themselves. Other important things you can do are find out if you are at risk of flooding, and sign up for a flood warning if one is available."
Information about flood risks and what to do in case of flooding is available from the National Flood Forum website.
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