Advice To Homeowners On How To Protect Property Against Flooding

If you are a homeowner in the UK and live in an area prone to flooding homeowner insurance premiums can be much higher than those areas not at risk to flooding. Therefore, it is vital to make sure your home is adequately covered by buildings and contents insurance. Some insurers will offer flood cover as part of a standard policy, whilst others might offer it as an add on.

What Has And Can Be Done To Protect UK Homes From Flooding

Studies have shown that one in six homes in England and Wales are at risk for flooding from sea water or rivers. In areas like Appleby in Cumbria, which were hard hit by flooding in 2009, properties that had flood protection barriers financed by Defra (an Environment Department pilot program) were kept dry.

On many price comparison homeowner insurance websites, tips and suggestion can be found on how to better protect property against flooding. For example, many insurers advise homeowners to use door barriers and brick covers, which many homeowners in the United Kingdom now use.

Many people repairing homes damaged by floods or preparing their homes in case of flooding are finding tips to help make their homes more resistant to any future flooding. They have learned that by taking measures like installing tile flooring rather than carpeting on ground floors makes clean up after a flood cheaper and quicker. They are also finding that by raising the levels of plug sockets higher up on a wall and using water resistant skirting boards can also save money in the event of flooding.

What To Do Should Flood Warnings Occur

There are further precautions that can be taken if you live in a flood area and hear of an impending flood. These steps may help to minimise any damage to your belongings and home.

1. Use sandbags to protect external doors.
2. Move any electrical units out of harms way and move as much furniture as you can to the second floor.
3. If you can't leave your home, set aside flashlights, warm clothing, a radio that runs on batteries and a cell phone in an upstairs room.
4. Take all your insurance documents and keep them with you, including phone numbers to insurers.
5. Make sure you have all important medicines and emergency phone numbers on hand.

Again, most homeowner insurer price comparison website will have a wealth of information available to you from flooding cover to how to prepare in case you live in a flood prone area.