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Ways to reduce the damage flood water might cause inside your property

Even if flood water gets in, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the damage a flood can cause.

It may be impossible to keep flood water out of your property.  In the case of bigger floods, this actually needs to happen otherwise the weight of the water outside might cause the building to collapse.

However even if floodwater gets into your property there are lots of things you can do to reduce the damage it might cause.

  • Shelving - keep irreplaceable or valuable items on high mounted shelves.
  • Home entertainment - fix your audio-visual equipment such as your TV and hi-fi to the wall about 1.5 metres above floor level.
  • Skirting - fit water resistant skirting boards or varnish wooden ones.
  • Pump - fit a pump in a basement or under-floor void so you have a way to extract flood water.  This will also help dry the property out.
  • Walls - use horizontal plasterboard or lime-based plaster to dry-line (instead of gypsum).  Get a special draining system for cavity walls.
  • Flooring - lay tiles with rugs rather than fitted carpets, which often need to be replaced after a flood.
  • Internal doors - fit synthetic or waxed doors to minimise damage from flood water, or make sure wooden doors are easy to remove before a flood so they don't have to be replaced afterwards.
  • Kitchen and bathroom - use water-resistant materials such as stainless steel, plastic or solid wood rather than chipboard.  Where ever possible raise fridges and other appliances on plinths to limit damage from shallow flooding.
  • Electricals - raise electrical sockets, fuse boxes, controls and wiring to 1.5 metres above ground level.  If re-wiring, bring cables down the wall to the raised sockets so cabling isn’t affected by flood water.
  • Large sealable bags - you can buy extra large, sealable bags to try and protect items that are difficult to move such as electrical goods and sofas.
  • External doors and windows - install synthetic or waxed windows and doors, or varnish wooden ones.
  • Patio doors - consider replacing these with windows or 'normal' doors made from synthetic,  waxed or varnished materials.

Do you need help or support to undertake these flood actions?

Some people may need help or support to prepare for flooding.  As part of your flood planning we recommend you think about who you can ask for assistance before, during and after a flood.  

You could also consider contacting your local authority, as  many of them keep lists of vulnerable people who might need extra support in a flood or emergency situation. 

If the Floodline Warnings Direct service is available in your area, we can arrange for any flood warnings for your property to also be delivered to a relative or friend, so that they are aware you may be in need of assistance.  You can set this up by phoning Floodline on 0845 988 1188.