How to Defend Your Home from Flooding
Review the areas of risk., Be prepared., Follow your flood plan., Think about people first., Consider having sandbags before you need them., Turn off the electricity and gas., Move valuables upstairs or raise them off of the floor. , If you can keep...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Review the areas of risk.
Where can water get into your home or business? Not just the doors
- think about air bricks, garage doors and gaps around pipes. -
Step 2: Be prepared.
Preparation is really important
- review what products can help. , Your flood plan should start by trying to divert the flow of water away from the property.
Always remember that flood barriers and sandbags need to be on site before you need them.
Do not depend upon getting them during a flood
- everyone will have sold out! , If you think the water is imminent and could be greater than 50mm or fast moving
- vacate the premises and get to high ground. , Building sandbags defences takes time and you need lots of them.
A typical house will require over 1 Tonnes.
They need to be built in a triangular shape and interleave strong plastic sheets. , Seal flues (Leaving a note inside to remind you to remove the covers) ,, This will help with news and weather updates.
If they are waterproof
- even better. ,,, ,,, -
Step 3: Follow your flood plan.
-
Step 4: Think about people first.
-
Step 5: Consider having sandbags before you need them.
-
Step 6: Turn off the electricity and gas.
-
Step 7: Move valuables upstairs or raise them off of the floor.
-
Step 8: If you can keep a wind up radio and torch at hand.
-
Step 9: If it is safe to do so - tell the neighbours.
-
Step 10: If the water starts to rise fast it maybe wise to move upstairs - remember 20mm of water can move a car.
-
Step 11: After the flood
-
Step 12: avoid contact with anything that has been soaked in the flood water (You do not know what has been in it!)
-
Step 13: Get professional advice on drying out any areas that have been flooded - Drying too quick can cause more damage.
-
Step 14: Contact the insurance company and keep a record of the call details.
-
Step 15: Take pictures of the damage before trying to sort it.
Detailed Guide
Where can water get into your home or business? Not just the doors
- think about air bricks, garage doors and gaps around pipes.
Preparation is really important
- review what products can help. , Your flood plan should start by trying to divert the flow of water away from the property.
Always remember that flood barriers and sandbags need to be on site before you need them.
Do not depend upon getting them during a flood
- everyone will have sold out! , If you think the water is imminent and could be greater than 50mm or fast moving
- vacate the premises and get to high ground. , Building sandbags defences takes time and you need lots of them.
A typical house will require over 1 Tonnes.
They need to be built in a triangular shape and interleave strong plastic sheets. , Seal flues (Leaving a note inside to remind you to remove the covers) ,, This will help with news and weather updates.
If they are waterproof
- even better. ,,, ,,,
About the Author
Christine Harris
Brings years of experience writing about pet care and related subjects.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: