Floods and Your Home – Taking Precautions

Floods and Your Home - Taking Precautions

Many people throughout the UK live under possible threat of floods, and everyone runs the risk of small floods in their home. Depending on where you live, it is imperative to understand the different possibilities for varying effects of floods on your home.

It is critical to take extra steps against a possible damage to your home and your belongings. The more prepared you are for a flood, the better able you are to protect your home from becoming damaged beyond repair.

Stop the Internal Flooding Before It Happens

There are several steps you can take in order to prevent damage to your home from an imminent flood. As you scan through this checklist, ask yourself, is your home flood ready? Consider these precautions:

Insure that you know where your water, gas, and electricity mains are in advance of a flood
Store all electrical devices as high and far away from potential flood water as possible
Consider moving heirlooms and sentimental pieces upstairs
Re-locate your car to higher ground to avoid disabling it in a flood
Always keep important identity cards and personal documents in a sealed bag away from potential flood water

As The External Flood Approaches

Taking precautionary measures when alerted to a flood warning is the first step towards minimizing damage caused by floods. A second, and more critical step, involves protecting your home when the actual flood approaches. As waters begin to rise, always pay close attention to local flood maps and current flood warnings issued by the government. If your home appears to be in a direct flood threat, it's time to consider building your own flood defenses:

Acquire sandbags from your local council - or always keep your own supply of sandbags if you live in a potential flood area
Create a bag of clean clothes and store in a dry area
Consider transferring all perishable food items to another location

Consider Having Your Own Sandbags

Sandbags have long been used as a barricade to stop damaging floods from entering buildings. However, there are a number of issues you should be made aware of when considering whether or not to have your own supply. Your council will make sandbags available to anyone during emergency situations. Yet, due to the high demand in some flooding emergencies, it may not be possible to guarantee delivery to everyone requesting sandbags from their council. In these circumstances, the council will decide where the greatest need is and where the provision of sandbags is most likely to be effective. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to consider having your own supply of sandbags on your property.

When faced with an imminent flood, sandbags have their advantages and disadvantages. They are effective in diverting shallow flowing water that has somewhere else to go. However, they are not completely waterproof and will not keep floods out of buildings where the water level outside is higher than the doorstep.

On the market today, there are several different flood protection products that can be installed in advance, and then clipped on and off when needed - such as the "flood board". Temporary, free-standing barriers can also protect a group of properties if needed.

Flood damage to homes can be devastating both economically and emotionally. By taking simple precautionary steps, you can stop the damage before it destroys your home. One of the most important steps is to ensure that your home's appliances and plumbing receive regular maintenance, and British Gas can help.

Protect and maintain your home with reliable and professional care from British Gas' many Care and Repair packages. Learn More.

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