A TRADE body has drawn up a list of measures householders in Pembrokeshire can take to protect their homes against flooding, to mark Flood Action Week.
Run by the Environment Agency until 13 November, Flood Action Week encourages those who live in areas at risk of flooding to act now to protect their home, possessions and family.
Since 1998, the UK has seen six of the ten wettest years on record, and this year for the first time ever, three named storms in one week.
The Environment Agency says that one of the key messages coming from COP27, taking place in Egypt this week, is that we must plan and prepare for increasingly extreme events.
Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the Property Care Association, said “In Flood Action Week, the Environment Agency is urging people to take three simple steps, to check their flood risk online, to sign-up for flood warnings and to know what to do if flooding hits.
“To support the campaign, our tips suggest some measures that can be adopted in modern buildings, or during the recovery or refurbishment of older buildings, to provide degrees of resilience and protection from the effects of flood water.
“They can help alleviate a good deal of cost and emotion for those affected by flooding.
“For example, recovery works can be speeded up through moving all services, such as boilers and electrical sockets, high up on the wall. Also, kitchens which use materials such as marine ply or steel, can be cleaned, dried and reused.
“The fitting of a membrane to walls and floors, so flood water can run behind it to be collected in a sump/pump unit, rather than entering the property, is another effective measure.”
The ten measures suggested by the PCA to protect against flooding include:
- Fitting a flood protection guard to doors or replacing doors completely with a flood resistant alternative. Garage door protection is also available.
- Replacing standard airbricks with ‘self-closing’ alternatives.
- Fitting a ‘non return valve’ to prevent sewage going back into the building.
- Checking brickwork is in good condition and paint with a water-resistant solution.
- Giving consideration to the fitting of a pump to evacuate water coming from beneath the building.
- Replacing standard gypsum plaster with one of the alternative types that do not absorb or retain water.
- Using ceramic or stone tiles with waterproof adhesive and grout.
- Putting electric sockets higher up the wall (with the cabling coming down from the ceiling, rather than the standard lay-out from below).
- Purchasing a pump or “puddle sucker” to remove water rapidly after flooding.
- Replacing kitchens with one that can be cleaned, dried and reused, such as one made of marine ply or steel.
Members of the PCA’s Flood Protection Group can help householders introduce flood protection ensures to their homes. More details can be found at https://www.property-care.org/homeowners/advice/flood-protection
The PCA also has a video which demonstrates flood resilience work in action, which is available to view at http://bit.ly/1V4c00b.
It shows how homeowners affected by catastrophic flooding in 2007 called on PCA member expertise to ensure there was no repeat of the problem.”
Information on Flood Action Week can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/flood-action-week-households-urged-to-prepare-in-2022-year-of-extremes and how to plan ahead for flooding at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/plan-ahead-for-flooding
