How to Flood Proof Your Home in the UK
Flood-proofing is a practical way to reduce flood damage from flooding. It usually combines flood resistance measures (aims to stop flood water entering) with flood resilience measures (minimises damage if flood water gets inside). The goal is flood protection, not a guarantee.
What is property flood resilience?
Property flood resilience is the mix of actions and upgrades that reduce flood damage during flooding and support faster recovery after flooding. It is often explained as a blend of flood resistance and recoverability measures, so a home can be made flood resilient even when it cannot stop flood water entering.
Flooding routes also differ. In the UK, common drivers include river flooding (for example, around the River Severn), surface water flooding after heavy rainfall, and groundwater flooding that rises through the ground and floor level. Planning for future flooding is usually easier when flood type and entry points are understood.
Do this first: check your risk level and sign up for warnings
Check your risk first. The Environment Agency estimates one in four properties in England face flood risk. Check yours by postcode, even if you've never experienced flooding.
The government flood warnings service can show the risk of flooding and live flood warning updates, and it can still be relevant for potential flooding even when a map shows low long-term risk. Surface water can build up quickly in heavy rainfall.
Local authorities and the local council can share area updates, temporary road changes, and whether they provide sandbags in certain locations. For planning, a household flood plan can list evacuation routes, where to switch off mains, and where the water supply stop tap is located.
A quick walk-round of your home: the 12 leak points most people miss
Flood protection works better when weak points are found before flooding. A walk-round can show where flood water might enter at floor level and where flood barriers could help, especially on the ground floor. It can also highlight constraints on listed buildings.
Common entry points and weak spots:
- Front and back doors and their rubber seals
- Garage doors and any low thresholds
- Air bricks and vents close to paving
- Cracks around mortar joints
- Pipe penetrations and outlet pipes
- Drains and manholes that could surcharge with flood water
- Toilets and other low outlets that can back up
- Basement openings and damp-proof membrane edges
- Patio and driveway run off toward the house
- Gutters and downpipes into wall cavities
- External steps that sit below surrounding ground
- Any gaps where services enter the wall
A surveyor or reputable flood mitigation specialist can recommend flood protection products and flood resilience measures in a report that considers nearby properties, previous flooding, and drain locations.
When a flood alert hits: the 60-minute “reduce damage” routine
When warnings shift from “watch” to “act”, many households follow a routine that prioritises people, documentation, and rapid flood protection. Flood barriers and air brick covers tend to work best when they are easily installed, and the fit has been tested outside flood season.
First 10 minutes
- Put key documents into a waterproof “go-bag”
- Move portable items above flood level where safe
- Keep updates coming from official channels
Next 20 minutes
- Fit demountable flood barriers to doors and low windows
- Deploy air brick covers and check vents and grilles
- Move vehicles away from low points where safe and permitted
Next 30 minutes
- Confirm evacuation routes and contacts from the flood plan
- Identify how to switch off utilities if instructed
- Monitor flood warnings and local council alerts
“Keep water out” upgrades that actually work (and when they don’t)
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Flood resistance is the part of flood protection that focuses on preventing water from entering. Flood protection products often work best as a set, because flooding routes can bypass a single barrier.
A practical limit is depth and duration. Water flooding to a depth greater than 1 metre should not be held back because pressure can increase structural damage. In that situation, the focus often shifts to ways to reduce flood damage and improve recovery measures.
The National Flood Forum also signposts tested options, and its Blue Pages directory lists property flood products and services that can support property flood resilience planning.
Doorways and low openings
Doors are a direct route for flood water, so flood barriers, flood doors, and flood-resistant doors are common starting points. Flood doors and windows can create a watertight seal when closed, and flood doors come in many sizes and materials, including uPVC, composite, and hardwood. Flood barriers can be fitted to external doorways and windows, and some systems can seal wide entrances.
Demountable flood barriers are designed to be easily lifted into place during a flood warning. Hardwood floodgates are a permanent option that requires no assembly as water levels rise.
Air bricks, vents, and air brick covers
Air bricks can admit flood water during flooding. Air brick covers are a common tool, and automatic options are designed to self-close when they come into contact with floodwater. SMART air bricks are one example, and they are described as self-closing air bricks that self-close upon contact with water to prevent flooding through ventilation openings.
Because air bricks support ventilation, temporary air brick covers are often treated as “on during a flood warning, off afterwards”.
Drains, pipes, and non return valves
In flooding, drains and sewers can become overwhelmed, which can push water back through waste systems. Non return valves can be installed in waste pipes to prevent foul sewer water backing up into the home during flooding. Some households also use inflatable toilet pan seals, bungs, or toilet bungs for extra protection during a flood event.
If water will get in, make your home easier to recover
Flood resilience focuses on minimising damage when flood water enters. It aims to make repair work, cleaning, and the drying process faster, which is why property flood resilience often combines flood resistance with flood resilience measures and other recoverability measures.
Electrics are a common focus: Some guidance suggests elevating electrical sockets, fuse boxes, and wiring to at least 1.5 meters above the floor to reduce flood risk on circuits during flooding.
Materials help too: Water-resistant materials like ceramic tiles, stone, or concrete can reduce disruption, because floors can be cleaned and dried rather than replacing flooring after every flood.
Some properties use lime plaster or other breathable finishes to support drying, while fitted carpets can absorb water and slow the drying process. If renovating, it may be possible to lay tiles on the ground floor to improve flood resilience.
kitchen units and bathroom units made of stainless steel, plastic, or solid wood can perform better than chipboard or MDF, which can disintegrate in water.
The outside matters more than most people think
A lot of flooding starts outside, with run off moving toward low points or with blocked drainage. Good maintenance is often described as cost effective flood protection. Regularly clearing gutters and downpipes can prevent blockages that cause overflow into wall cavities during heavy rainfall.
Removing or reducing hard landscaping can allow the ground to absorb water and reduce run-off. Natural defences like trees and shrubs can slow the flow of water around a property, and rain gardens can capture excess water near foundations. Sustainable drainage systems (also called SuDS) can help manage drainage and reduce the risk of flooding.
Breathable water-resistant sealants and water-resistant mortar can help maintain wall condition, including around mortar joints.
What does flood-proofing cost in the UK? A realistic budget ladder
Costs depend on the property flood context, access, and the depth and duration of flooding expected. Some owners start with a surveyor report that outlines flood protection measures, flood resilience measures, and what is most cost-effective for the building and budget.
Support can exist, but it varies by area. Local councils may provide grants for flood protection measures (often around £5,000), and local authorities can explain what is available locally.
The cost-effectiveness of flood protection measures depends on flood frequency, depth, the measures installed, and property characteristics. A surveyor can help assess what is proportionate for your property.
After a flood: 10 tips that make cleanup faster (and safer)
Flooding cleanup is often where delays and extra losses happen. You must contact your insurer as soon as possible after flood damage occurs and before major clearance.
rivr's policy requires immediate notification. We will then confirm next steps and arrange assessment. This is because the insurance company can advise on next steps and may provide a flood remediation expert who can assess the home.
Insurance policies vary, including whether they focus on replacing damaged items or include support with the clean-up process.
- Photograph damage before moving items
- Keep a log of dates, times, and names for insurer contact
- Separate cleanable items from unsalvageable ones
- Treat flood water as potentially contaminated
- Ventilate when safe to support the drying process
- Avoid rushing plaster removal without advice for the wall type
- Check internal doors for swelling and warping
- Avoid pumping out basements too quickly; electric pumps and sump pump systems can pump water, but pressure changes can matter
- Store chemicals safely, especially if garage doors failed
- Keep receipts for emergency purchases
If there is no insurance in place, the local council may share details on hardship grants after flooding.
Flood insurance and flood-proofing: how to protect your cover
Flood protection can help reduce flood damage, but it doesn’t remove the need to understand cover. Across UK home insurance, buildings insurance, and contents cover can differ in what they include for flooding, plus how the claims process works once a flood event has happened.
What to look for in insurance policies when flooding is a realistic risk
The details that tend to affect outcomes are usually practical:
- The flood excess and whether it’s separate from the standard excess
- Definitions of flood water and what’s treated as surface water
- How the drying process and repair work are managed
- Whether policy wording expects you to keep evidence, salvage items, or follow specific steps
Where Flood Re may fit
If the risk of flooding is higher, some insurers may be unwilling to offer cover, or premiums can be higher. Flood Re is a re-insurance initiative between government and insurers that aims to make the flood element of household cover more affordable in eligible cases. Participation and eligibility depend on the insurer and the property.
rivr's underwriters participation in Flood Re depends on the specific property and circumstances. Contact our team to understand your options.
If you’ve installed flood protection products, keep records light but clear
If flood protection products or flood resilience measures are fitted, insurers often want a clear summary rather than technical detail. While not required by rivr's policy, some households keep a simple record of installed flood protection measures for their own reference. A simple file can include:
- A list of measures (for example flood barriers, flood doors, air brick covers, non return valves)
- Photos showing where they are installed, especially at floor level on the ground floor
- Installer details and dates (if relevant)
Listed buildings can be different because repair methods and water resistant materials may need to be appropriate for the building. Non-residential risks, such as commercial premises, are also often assessed differently from standard household cover.
Quick check table: what to confirm before you rely on a policy
rivr: home insurance for those with more to protect
rivr insures high-value homes across the UK, including listed properties. Your buildings and contents cover is based on realistic rebuild costs and heritage-sensitive repairs.
For personalised financial advice, speak with an independent adviser. Get a quote or speak with our team about protecting your home.
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Frequently asked questions
You can’t completely flood proof a home, but you can reduce damage and recover faster. Most households combine flood resistance (to slow or stop water entering) with flood resilience (to limit damage if water gets inside).
Doors are a common entry point, so start with demountable door barriers (fit during a warning) or flood-resistant doors (a permanent upgrade). Fit and correct installation matter most, and in deeper or longer-lasting floods it’s often safer to prioritise resilience rather than trying to hold water back.
Many UK home insurance policies include flood cover, but cover limits, exclusions, and flood excesses vary. For higher-risk homes, Flood Re may help affordability in eligible cases, but eligibility depends on the property and insurer.
Whether a higher flood risk is acceptable depends on underwriting and the specific property, so outcomes and pricing can’t be guaranteed. The quickest way to confirm options is to speak with the team about your address and risk profile.
Common alternatives include demountable door barriers, flood doors, air brick covers, and water-activated absorbent barriers. For backflow risk, add non-return valves and (as a temporary extra) a toilet bung. These options are usually faster to deploy and less messy than sandbags.
At property level, the main types are:
- Door and low-opening barriers (demountable panels or guards)
- Flood doors and flood gates (permanent or semi-permanent)
- Air brick covers / self-closing air bricks (to protect ventilation openings)
- Perimeter barrier systems (specialist, site-specific)
- Temporary water-filled or absorbent barriers (portable, short-term use)
There isn’t one universal “best” defence. The most effective approach is usually a layered set matched to the flood route:
- Surface water / shallow flooding: door barriers + air brick covers + drainage/runoff work
- Sewer surcharge: non-return valves (plus temporary toilet seals if needed)
- Repeat risk at thresholds: flood doors or well-fitted barriers
If flooding may be deeper or longer-lasting, resilience measures (materials, electrics) often matter more than trying to hold water back.
Costs vary by size, spec, and installation. As a broad guide, supplier quotes often start at around £1,500 installed and can rise to £3,500+ for higher-spec options or more complex fitting.
Costs depend on how many openings you’re protecting, the barrier height, and site conditions. As a broad guide, installed demountable barrier systems are often quoted from around £2,000 to £10,000+, with higher costs for wider spans or more complex setups.
The Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme is a Northern Ireland scheme designed to help eligible homeowners improve resistance to flooding. Elsewhere in the UK, support is usually offered through local authorities and may be triggered after significant flood events (for example, Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant-style schemes up to £5,000 in eligible affected areas). Availability and eligibility vary by location and event.
