Reducing the damage

If your home remains vulnerable you can consider some of the measures listed:

• Door hinges - fit special hinges to allow doors to be easily removed
• Service meters - move meters to higher positions
• Electrics - move sockets, switches, panels and wiring higher up the wall
• Boilers - hot water cylinders and any other heating or ventilation units can be installed on the first floor or in your loft
• Kitchens - chipboard or MDF styles are particularly vulnerable and are often destroyed by water. It may be that these can be replaced with plastic units with removable solid wood doors. Alternatively, opt for free standing units which can be moved
• Flooring - solid floors are more resilient from flood water than boards. If your home floods frequently, choose rugs rather than fitted carpets, as they are easier to move in emergencies
• Tiling and sealing - tile the ground floor of your property to seal it
• Plaster/plasterboard - re-plaster your ground floor with more resilient materials or fix plasterboard horizontally
• Windows - replace wooden frames with man-made materials

This is not an exhaustive list and you may find you have other opportunities to reduce the damage depending upon the age and construction type of your home. Look out for products with the new BSI kitemark. This is an indication of good quality products. Always consult an expert as many of the above alterations are of a specialist nature.

For more information: Environment Agency floodline