Unfortunately, in an age of global warming, the risk of flooding is something we have to be aware of and take very seriously as it can have a devastating effect on your home, on all of your personal belongings and on your home insurance premium!The most important step you have to take when purchasing or building a new home is to assess the potential risk of flooding. I’ve never understood why this is not standard information that should be provided when your conveyancy lawyer carries out the searches on the property. Unfortunately the responsibility lies with you.
Start with contacting the Environment Agency. They have the most thorough information regarding flood risk in Britain. You can type in your postcode on their web site and it will give you a full assessment of flood risk in your area (I did a quick search for my own home in Dorset and their was a 0.1% or less chance of my home flooding…phew!).
If you live in a low risk area then great, you have nothing to worry about but if you live in an area where regular floods occur then there are practical steps you can take to protect your home. I’ve recently installed a ‘Flood Board’ system and ‘Airbrick Covers’ on an existing home for a client who had had enough of flood damage to her home.
The boards and covers are stored in her garage and are then temporarily clipped into place to block up door and window openings up to a particular height to prevent any water getting in. These simple defences are very effective, easy to install and will save you a lot of stress and heartache.
If you are intending to build a new home in an area liable to flooding then the Environment Agency will ask for specific design criteria during the planning process that you must adhere to.
For example I designed a new home in Surrey close to a flood plain and we had to raise the entire house over 2 feet off the ground so water could pass freely beneath the floor slab in times of flooding.
These requirements can add considerable cost to the budget of your new home, but you have to do them, as they are there to protect you and your home.
Finally, make sure you have a very good insurance policy for the structure of your home as well as all of your contents to protect you fully against flood damage.
I’ve known people forget to renew their insurance or haven’t read the small print on their policy and when a flood occurs their lives are devastated.
The Environment Agency can let you know if there is a risk of an imminent flood during periods of heavy rainfall. If you are concerned you can call their ‘Floodline’ 24-hours a day on 0845 988 1188 for real time updates.
Floods are going to be a regular occurrence in this country.
Its your responsibility to make sure you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your home against them.
