Flood protection

Buying flood protection equipment

There are several flood protection products you can buy which can help stop flood damage to your home and belongings. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to put these in place when you get a flood warning. Once flood water has drained away, you should remove flood protection to help your home dry out.

Types of flood protection

Sandbags

Government agencies may make sandbags available during a flood to help you protect your home.

However, the supply could be limited so it’s a good idea to: After a flood these can be contaminated with sewage so you should take care if you come into contact with them.

Floodboards

These are wooden or plastic boards which can be fixed to the bottom of doorframes and low level window frames. You can wash, store and use them again. If you make these yourself they may leak, depending on the depth of the flooding. If the flooding is likely to be deep you would be better to buy them and have them fitted.

The National Flood Forum's website has more information on keeping your home protected during a flood.

Covers to seal airbricks

These can stop flood water coming in through airbricks. You could nail a board across the low level airbricks, however these may leak so consider buying plastic covers to fit your airbricks.

Backflow valves

If your home is at high risk of flooding and you invest in flooding products don’t forget that floodwater may rise up through the sewers. To prevent this you can get a backflow valve fitted to your sewer. More information about these are available from the National Flood Forum.