How to Stop a House from Flooding?

Flooding can occur suddenly and without warning, so it’s important to take steps to minimise the risk and know what to do in the event of a flood, particularly if you live in an area at risk of flooding.

Leading Causes of Flooding

Natural weather events like heavy rainfall over a short period or prolonged, extensive rain can lead to flooding. In coastal areas, a combination of high tides and stormy weather can cause flooding too. The impact of climate change has led to a rise in the type of weather events that trigger floods, so it’s increasingly important to be aware of the changing risks in your local area.

Beyond the weather, household flooding is commonly caused by problems inside and outside the property, like burst pipes or damaged guttering and roofing. Poor maintenance of sewer and drainage systems can also cause a house to flood.

There are also development and planning decisions that can increase the risk of flooding, like building on flood plains or building in a way that restricts the natural drainage of rainfall. In regions of elevated flood risk, badly designed or damaged flood defence schemes can also have an impact.

Who To Call When The House Floods?

Who to call when a house floods is dependent on the extent of flooding and its cause. Following minor household flooding caused by plumbing issues, call an emergency plumber. You should also contact your home insurance company.

Know how to shut off the gas and/or electricity supply at home in the event of a flood and contact utility providers if flooding has caused electrical, gas, or sewage problems.

During a severe flood that poses a risk to life, call 999 if you are in immediate danger and follow the advice of emergency services. For up to date advice on staying safe during a flood, contact the flood warning and information service Floodline on 0345 988 1188, which is available 24 hours a day.

When cleaning a property following a flood, take care around floodwater as it could contain harmful substances like sewage and chemicals. Using a pump is the most effective way to drain away flood water, and Pumping Solutions can provide a range of pumps for this purpose, including puddle pumps which are suitable for low levels of flooding, and submersible (or sump) pumps which can remove groundwater flooding.

For free advice following a flood at home, call our team on 01775 711960 and we can recommend the right pump for your requirements.

Steps To Prevent Flooding At Home

In flood-prone areas, flood defences are often in place to limit the damage caused during weather-related flooding. If you live in a region where flooding is more common, consider ways to make your house more resilient to flooding. Changes like swapping carpets for tiles and positioning sockets higher up the wall can also reduce costly potential damage in the event of a flood.

To prevent non-weather-related flooding, ensure that you regularly check your water pressure at home. While low water pressure can cause problems when filling the kettle or taking a shower, high water pressure can damage plumbing and lead to inconvenient and expensive household flooding. Pumping Solutions can help if you are having problems with your water pressure and will be able to recommend the right solution to prevent future flooding.

Contact Our Water Pressure Experts

Call 01775 711960 to speak to Pumping Solutions when your home has flooded, or to receive expert support when you have problems with water pressure. With our help, you can reduce the risk of flood damage, or quickly clean up your property following unexpected flooding.