FloodProtection Products

The main categories are door and air brick flood barriers, non-return valves for drains and pipework, flood sandbags or gel-filled alternatives, and sump pumps for removing water that does get in. Most properties in a flood risk area benefit from a combination rather than relying on one product alone. Which mix you need depends on how water typically enters — through doorways, airbricks, or backing up through drains.

Measure the full width of the door opening including the frame, as barriers need to seal against the brickwork either side rather than just the door itself. Most door barriers are supplied in standard widths and can be trimmed or adjusted on site, but it's worth checking the manufacturer's size range before ordering. If your opening is wider than standard stock sizes, a bespoke or made-to-measure barrier may be the better option.

Flood-specific air brick covers are designed to form a watertight seal over the vent during a flood event, unlike standard debris guards which only keep out leaves and vermin. They're normally fitted in advance and left in place, or clipped on quickly once a flood warning is issued. Ventilation still needs to be restored once the water recedes to avoid damp and condensation problems in the property.

A non-return (or backflow) valve fits into a drain, sewer connection or waste pipe and only allows flow in one direction, stopping floodwater or sewage backing up into the property when the external drainage system is overwhelmed. They're particularly important for properties on combined sewer systems in areas prone to surface water flooding. Installation is usually a job for a groundworker or drainage contractor, as the valve needs to sit correctly within the pipe run to seal properly.

Most door and gateway barriers are demountable — a frame or channel is fixed permanently around the opening, and the barrier itself slots in only when a flood warning is issued. This keeps day-to-day access normal while still giving a quick, reliable fit when it's needed. Permanently fixed barriers do exist for openings that are rarely used, but they're less common for main entrances.

Stocked items such as flood sacks, air brick covers and standard-size door barriers can typically be despatched for next-working-day delivery, but this isn't guaranteed during widespread flood events when demand spikes across a region. The best approach is to have barriers and valves fitted well before flood season rather than ordering reactively once a warning is in place. If you're in a known flood risk area, it's worth reviewing and testing your equipment annually ahead of winter.