Flooding is a significant risk in the UK and around the world. Over 5.2 million properties – one in six – in England are at risk from flooding, yet only a third of those potentially affected believe their property is at risk.
Climate change and increasingly severe rainfall events have shown that many recent floods do not take place anywhere near a river or the coast. Surface water flooding is a real threat following heavy rainfall where drains or land do not allow water to escape quickly.
The average cost to householders affected by flooding is £32k. Business impact is significant with an £83k average claim for SMEs, 50 lost business days and 40% of whom will fail to reopen post-flood.
The economic and social impacts of flooding are considerable and increasingly both homeowners and businesses are finding it more difficult to access affordable insurance.
Property Flood Resilience:
Whilst engineered flood defences, flood warnings and upper catchment measures can make an improvement, it is essential for resilience to be built into individual properties. PFR includes any measures to reduce the risks to people and property enabling households and businesses to reduce flood damage, speed up recovery, reoccupation of flooded buildings and potentially obtain insurance cover more easily and affordably.
Watertight are fully supportive of the PFR industry Code of Practice, which aims to “improve confidence in property flood resilience and subsequent take-up”. We do not manufacture products but provide an extensive range of bespoke services, advice and solutions. We have excellent relationships with most of the other PFR industry providers and co-ordinate and project manage specialist flood risk assessments, product manufacture and professional services including insurance. Products selected as part of the design solution from partnering manufacturers are fitted by our own employed installation teams.