Property flood resilience can reduce water entry, limit damage and support faster recovery, but it cannot remove all risk.
Resistance and recoverability
Measures intended to reduce or delay water entering, such as suitable barriers, doors, air-brick covers and non-return valves.
Changes intended to reduce damage and shorten recovery if water enters, such as resilient finishes or raised services.
Start with an assessment
The correct package depends on entry points, likely water depth, duration, construction, drainage and the occupants' ability to deploy temporary equipment. A professional assessment can identify interactions between measures and structural or safety considerations.
Possible external measures
- Appropriately specified flood barriers, doors or gates.
- Air-brick protection and service-entry sealing.
- Non-return valves where suitable.
- Pumps and drainage measures designed for the site.
- Changes that manage runoff without transferring risk elsewhere.
Possible internal measures
- Raised electrical services and appliances where appropriate.
- Water-resilient flooring, wall finishes and insulation.
- Layouts that make cleaning and drying easier.
- Protected documents, medication and essential equipment.
Operation and maintenance
Record where equipment is stored, practise deployment, inspect seals and fixings, maintain pumps and batteries, keep instructions accessible and review the plan after alterations to the property or drainage.
Official guidance
Use government and Environment Agency property flood-resilience guidance as a starting point, then seek competent professional advice for the building and likely flood mechanism.
Temporary and permanent measures
Temporary products may require storage, warning time and safe manual deployment. Permanent measures can reduce that dependence but still need assessment and maintenance. The most suitable approach may combine both, based on likely water depth, entry routes and building construction.
Recovery planning
Plan where occupants will go, how utilities will be isolated safely, which documents and medication must be moved and who should be contacted. Keep photographs and records of the property and installed measures for insurance and recovery purposes.