Flood proofing properties

Every time we have storms or prolonged rain, houses and businesses flood.

The environment agency and Government approach is to try to protect whole towns and areas with river bank flood defenses. These are slow to build, and possibly outdated when completed, because the worst case scenario has become worse, and the every 100 years flood has become an every other year flood risk. We need the defenses to protect the ￡200 Billion of assets at risk from flooding in the long term, but for the houses and business that flood regularly there is a more immediate solution.

Using a combination of basement waterproofing, pumped cavity drain systems with battery back ups, along with watertight doors, watertight cavity insulation, non return pipe valves, automatic watertight air vents and water repellents almost any property can be completely flood proofed.

The time that it is financially viable to do this work, is when a house has flooded and has to be completely stripped and re finished inside. At this point it is financially beneficial to everyone, to install a flood proofing system to individual houses and businesses, so when the next flood event occurs they remain bone dry inside.

The systems can withstand up to 1 metre of water around a property and possibly even more if a structural engineer agrees the house can stand up to the pressure.

The systems cost in the region of ￡10,000 for an average 3 bed house. But can save ￡30,000 - ￡50,000 per property every time the locality floods. Not to mention alleviating the heartache and distress caused by the loss of belongings and the whole flooding experience.

Everyone in at risk areas should be aware that it is perfectly possible to completely flood proof most properties.

The technology is there to provide full protection. It is tried and tested on hundreds of properties. It is the same technology used to protect thousands of basements built into the water table and under constant water pressure.

Insurance companies will probably not suggest it or pay for the work because it is considered betterment. However this is very short sighted because victims of flooding and insurance companies could save thousands of pounds by investing in a properly designed system. Everyone involved in flood remediation should be aware of the options.

I am happy to advise anyone who wants to know everything they need to know, to protect people, property and livelihoods from flooding.