Protecting your home from the watery hell

THE flood resilience steps you can take to minimise your chances of having to make a home insurance claim include the following:

• Install non return valves on your sewerage system – often a manifestation of rising flood water if first surges through sewers which then come up through downstairs toilets or sinks. If there are flood warnings, you could put a sandbag in your toiled and plug sinks and baths

• Use air bricks with waterproof covers that vent through a pipe that is above any potential flood level

• Fix watertight stable-type doors or flood gates at entrances

• Use tiled or other waterproofed solid ground floors with rugs rather than fitted carpets

• Install electrical sockets and other electric fittings above any potential flood level

• Use kitchen and bathroom fittings made of water resistant materials such as plastic, stainless steel or solid wood: not chipboard or laminated mdf, both of which absorb water and swell

• Keep valuable heirlooms and documents upstairs or on high shelves – no insurance payout will replace lost memories.

If flooding is likely:

• Get valuables, papers, heirlooms etc upstairs or on a top shelf

• Move rugs etc upstairs if you are able and have time, as well as chairs etc

• You could stand the legs of tables, sofas and other furniture on suitable wooden boxes or crates in an attempt to keep them above water level

• If flooding is forecast there should be a ready local supply of sandbags

• Assemble an emergency case which might include waterproof clothing, food and drink (ie bottled water), torch, wind-up radio, spare batteries (for torch etc) essential documents such as insurance policy details and phone numbers, emergency phone numbers; disposable camera (in case your mobile phone is lost or battery expires) to take photos for insurance purposes; blankets; boots, toiletries etc, spare clothes – in case you have to make a smart exit; spare charger for at least one of your mobile phones; first aid kit, remedies for tummy bugs as this can be an unpleasant side effect of flooding

• Know where to turn off your electricity, water, gas

• Move your car to higher ground

SOURCE: AA INSURANCE