Flood protection products

There are many British Standards Institution (BSI) approved flood protection products on the market, designed to act as temporary protection against flood water entering your property.

These act as barriers to water entry points, such as doors, windows and airbrick covers.

Flood barriers 
Flood boards, made of plastic or metal, can be installed across a doorway or window before a flood arrives.  The boards usually slide into a frame that has been pre-attached to the door or window frame to provide a watertight seal from flood waters.

Airbrick covers
A plastic cover clips to frames fitted around airbricks on exterior walls, preventing water entry via this route.

Flood skirts
This is a more advanced system of flood protection, which totally encloses the bottom 600-900mm (2 - 3 feet) of a property in water-resistant sheeting, sometimes to foundation level. A more expensive solution, this may be useful for detached properties that are flooded regularly for sustained periods.

Sandbags
These are available from DIY retailers. Bin bags filled with soil are an alternative option.  These can be used to create a dam in front of doorways and, when put in a toilet bowl, can prevent sewage entering your home. After flooding they must be discarded as they may contain contaminants.

Flood protection product providers  (450Kb)
This document is provided for information, and was current at the time of going to press. SEPA does not endorse any individual product or company and takes no responsibility for any issues or disputes arising as a result of their purchase or use.

Scottish Flood Forum
The Scottish Flood Forum can advise on the most suitable product for your property and provides a list of flood prevention manufacturers and suppliers. Please visit Scottish Flood Forum  or call 01738 448411 for more information.