Protecting your property

The damage caused by flood water, mud and sewage in your home can be very distressing. There are a variety of flood protection measures you can consider that may help to limit the damage caused and make the clean up easier.

These measures generally fall into two main categories:

Dry-proofing measures: These keep water out of the building, e.g. sandbags and flood boards. If a building is flooded for long periods or by depths of water above one metre, the measures will be less effective. Simple measures are unlikely to stop water from coming in for more than a few hours while more complex solutions may protect the building for a day or two.

Wet proofing measures: These improve the ability of the property to withstand the effects of flooding once water has entered the building, e.g. damp proofing. The cost of improving the flood protection of your property will depend on a number of important factors, including potential flood depth, property size, how the property is constructed and its location. When considering flood protection measures, the cost of installing the products needs to be weighed against the potential cost savings such as reduced repair costs, accommodation charges and business losses.

It is important that you seek professional advice before installing flood products to your home or carrying out any structural alterations. Taking out insurance will help to pay for any repairs that will be required after a flood. Insurers may take into account any flood protection measures that reduce flood risk when offering you a household insurance policy.