Tips to prevent/minimise flood and storm damage to your home

Photo by 499585 from Pixabay

It's difficult to predict when a flood or storm might hit and the damage it may cause your home. Minimise weather damage to your home with these hints and tips.

• Jobs you can do to help protect your home from the weather
• Prepare a home flood kit in advance
• Keep up to date with live flood warnings

What should you do if there's a threat of storm or flooding

• Keep your garden clear of any hazardous loose objects, as these could damage windows etc. Tie-down garden furniture too large to store in sheds. Potential hazards include garden furniture and children's play equipment (such as slides).
• If a thunderstorm's coming, unplug electrical items, phones, tv's, computers and internet connections. Remember lightning can travel along phone and electrical lines.
•  If you've received a flood warning, where possible, roll up carpets and move them upstairs.
• Move your furniture upstairs. For items that are too heavy or awkward to move such as your fridge/freezers or tables, try to raise them up off the ground using bricks, heavy wood or blocks.
• Keep your pets indoors, as they could be harmed by rising water levels, which could contain sewage.
• Put your temporary flood protection measures in place, for example, put sandbags down, air-brick covers on and place floorboards over windows and doors.

Jobs you can do to help protect your home from the weather

• Check your roof – You should regularly check your roof to look out for any slipped or missing tiles, loose or cracked flashing, or worn concrete.
• Clear drains & gutters - Keep your drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris. During high rainfall, blocked gutters could cause extensive water damage to your home.
• Cut back large branches – Cut back branches especially dead ones overhanging your home or outbuildings.
• Sandbags – If you live in a flood risk area consider keeping a stock of sandbags. You could ask your local council for some as they may supply them.
• Install temporary flood protection equipment - such as removable covers for air bricks and other vents and floorboards to help protect vulnerable windows and doors.
• Safely lock your valuables away – Place your valuables in waterproof containers and keep them on an upper floor.
• Back up your computer - Both lightning and flood damage could wipe your computer's hard drive.
• Use flood resilient materials - When refurbishing or decorating your home, use flood resilient materials, like ceramic tiles on ground floors, or rugs instead of carpets.

Prepare a home flood kit in advance

Be prepared with a home emergency kit, you should look to include the following items in your kit

• A torch
• Canned food and portable cooking equipment
• Bottled water
• Portable radio, along with spare batteries
• Blankets, waterproof clothing and boots
• A list of local emergency numbers (e.g. the council)
• Your insurance details
• First Aid kit

Keep up to date with live flood warnings

View live flood warnings . Receive the latest flood alerts for your area and the rest of the UK. You can also get the latest flood developments by calling England and Wales Environment Agency's flood line on 0345 988 1188,

Useful links - 

• Environment Agency
• Flood Alerts
• Flood warnings GOV.UK
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Natural Resources Wales website

You may also be interested in:

• Planning for a flood
• House Insurance
• Home Insurance Guide
• Drivers Be Prepared For The Cold Weather
• Take control of your heating costs before the “Beast from the East” returns