It may be dry now but those pesky rain clouds will certainly make an unwelcome return
Being flooded is one of the most traumatic and miserable experiences that can happen to you in life
All these 20 FloodSax alternative sandbags came from this one box
Why a dry time is the right time to sort out flood protection for your home or business
It’s been quite a dry spring after a stormy and wet winter so now’s the right time to think about flood protection.
Flood mitigation is all about being proactive to sort out your flood protection well in advance. If you’re reactive to it then, ironically, it’s highly likely you’ll not have time to react if it happens to you.
People who live in areas prone to flooding have time to reflect and think what’s the best flood protection option for the next time it floods … for it surely will at some point in the future.
Far too often people wait until they’re faced with the imminent threat of flooding before trying to take action last minute to avoid it.
One of the best places to find all the latest flood mitigation devices on the market is the Blue Pages compiled by flood charity the National Flood Forum
It gives people a great overall view of the range of flood prevention, flood protection and flood mitigation products from alternative sandbags to automatic flood doors, air brick covers and water pumps.
One of the most popular products are FloodSax sandless sandbags which were devised by Richard Bailey, managing director of Yorkshire-based Environmental Defence Systems Ltd.
He said: “Many people simply don’t realise that their local authority has no responsibility to help them out if flooding is imminent. Although some may provide sandbags, most don’t and there’s no guarantee they will get them to you in time anyway. Sandbags are both an inefficient and environmentally unfriendly way to try to keep water out of your home or business.
“We, along with other flood product manufacturers, have found the market has quietened down after the winter and are beginning to wonder if these are the early signs of the severe economic and financial pressures people are facing from higher prices and frightening energy bills taking effect.
“Now, when the weather is calm, is exactly the time people should be thinking about the best ways to protect their homes and businesses from flooding. It means they can look at the problem calmly, knowing their property’s specific weaknesses to water ingress and flooding and then research the best way to prevent it from happening again in the future. Not investing in flood protection now is a very false economy and, sadly, many businesses that have been severely flooded never reopen.”
The Environment Agency has also warned people: “Don’t assume the authorities will provide you with sandbags in a flood emergency. It’s the responsibility of property owners to take appropriate action to protect their property from flooding. Sandbags are relatively ineffective when compared to purpose-built flood protection products. We strongly encourage people to use these products.”
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) the average claim for a flooded business is £70,000 – that’s seven times higher than the average non flood claim which is around £11,500. The average claim for a house is around £30,000.
Yet spending as little as £150 on a box of 20 FloodSax to keep floodwater at bay will potentially save countless thousands of pounds in flood damage.
Recent tests proved that a wall of FloodSax held back 12 tonnes of water. Read more by clicking here.
Richard added: “Few things are certain in life but one thing for sure is that flooding will continue to escalate due to climate change in the coming years. People who have been flooded say it’s the most traumatic thing that’s ever happened to them and they are forced out of their homes for months.
“Flooding needs a proactive response – that means planning ahead to ensure your property is fully protected against flooding. If you’re reactive then you simply won’t be prepared in time as flooding happens at a frightening pace with thousands of pounds damage caused in just a few minutes.”
For more information on FloodSax go to http://www.floodsax.co.uk/