Domestic Flood Protection

There are three main routes for floodwater to enter a property,  through openings such as doors, through wall and through drains and as such there are three main types of domestic flood protection that are available on the market.

• To protect openings such as doors and windows you have Floodgates, Flood Doors, Flood boards & Flood Barriers
• To protect from seepage through walls you main product is airbrick covers or vent covers as well as also waterproof coatings, sealants and fillers that can be applied to the lower part of walls.
• To protect against entry via the drains you have a range of products to either block the main drain into the house or to block the specific outlets such as toilet or sink.

An overview of each of the above is provided below.

Floodgates, Flood Doors, Flood boards & Flood Barriers

At the higher end of the market you have the custom designed flood barriers which are purchased in conjunction with a full site survey, whereas the lower end of the market offers the detachable flood door.

Door Barriers

Front and rear doors form a key area of exposure in times of flooding and the marketplace has developed a wide range of door barriers that can be fitted very quickly in times of flood. Most of these are characterised by fixing clips or other mechanical fixings that are pre-fitted in prior preparation for a flood situation. Putting the door guard in place then becomes a simple job at the time of the flood. Such door barriers are often GRP, fibreglass or aluminium with appropriate rubber seals.Similar types of barriers are available to form window flood defences but it is important to bear in mind that if water rises above 1 metre in height, this restricted flood water forms very large hydrostatic pressures and there is significant danger of structural collapse. For this reason once a flood reaches window height it is often recommended to allow the water to flood into the building thereby equalising the pressure on the walls of the structure. Most floods however (95%) do not exceed windowsill height.General flood protection panels are available as door protectors and for more general flood applications.

Flood Doors

Flood doors are becoming increasingly available whereby a very heavy duty and well sealed door is fitted with a correspondingly heavy-duty waterproof doorframe. Flood door manufacturers have to be mindful that such doors can readily still be opened by small children in the everyday use of the door.

Remember : Not all flood gates fit every property so it is important that you provide accurate and complete information including pictures and details measurements to us so that we can supply the right product.

Airbrick & Vent Covers, Coatings and Sealants

One of the primary areas that water can enter a property is via the walls and often through airbricks. These exist on most properties to facilitate ventilation and avoid damp, but during flooding also provide open access to flood waters.  There are different types of airbricks covers available on the market ranging from single use adhesive covers, through screw or latch in covers upto automated one way airbrick covers at the top end of the marked.

All of the types of flood protection airbricks mentioned below are effective for protection of domestic and commercial properties, and meet either British or Industry standards.

Your choice of airbricks can depend on many factors, but a summary of the pro's and con's of each type is provided below.

Sealants and Coatings.

Water will always find a way into a property eventually.   The key to cost effective flood protection is slowing it down enough to hold the water back for the typical 4-8 hours of highwater when your property is most at risk.

There are many solutions available, from external coatings through internal membrains to full 'tanking' of a property.

We supply a range of cost effective sealing products directly and have partnered with industry experts to give you access to a range of more specialised products and advice, all at great prices.

The following sealant products that we offer are aimed it buying you valuable time during a flood to slow the flow of water through brickwork during a flood.

• Clear Coat Sealant : For brick and concrete walls
• Black/Brown/white Sealant : A cheaper option for all wall types, particular suited to rendered walls
• Tanking Slurry : A thicker sealant specifically designed for rough walls or for application below the damp course line
• Fast drying waterproof joint filling compound : To seal larger cracks and joints in walls prior to sealing

If your still not sure which products are suitable for you then call us or drop by for a chat and a coffee.

Thats right, we are by a river and we have been flooded ourselves. !.....