Wet weather is finally forecast for parts of the UK following a summer of record-breaking heatwaves and widespread drought. While many will welcome the downpours after weeks of stifling heat, there is a risk of hail, lightning, and flash flooding.
You may wonder: if so much of the country is in drought, why would heavy rainfall lead to flooding? Flash flooding, according to the Met Office, occurs when rain falls so fast that the underlying ground cannot cope or drain it away quickly enough. Roads can become like rivers, and if there is a lot of water, it can flood buildings and carry cars away.
The Environment Agency estimates approximately 9.3 million people in England are exposed to the growing risk of surface water flooding, which occurs when heavy rainfall overwhelms drains and drainage systems, causing water to accumulate on the ground, leading to flash flooding.
Neil Mckenzie home safety expert at Halton Stairlifts, says one of the most common mistakes homeowners make is assuming that because their house hasn’t flooded before, or even recently, it won’t happen again: “This often leads to a failure to take any preventative measures, and this is when risk increases, and more damage is caused.”
Of course, sometimes the impact of bad weather is completely out of our control, and the rainfall is simply too overwhelming for us to do anything but remain safe, batten down the hatches and wait for the worst to be over.
But if you can make any small preparations it might help in less extreme circumstances. Here, homes and garden experts share some common mistakes people make in their homes and gardens when it comes to flooding, to help you prepare for the future.
You’ve paved over your garden
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, a quarter of all front gardens are completely paved over. Research has found that removing greenery and covering soil with impenetrable surfaces are two of the main causes of increased flood risk. Using gravel, permeable block paving, and porous paving allows water to drain into the ground rather than rushing towards the house.
Mckenzie says: “If you’ve had work done to the exterior of your home, including paving areas of your back garden or tarmacking the front to extend your driveway, it’s likely that you’ve increased the risk of your home flooding.
“Even if your home may not have flooded before, modifications like these mean rainwater has nowhere to run off, and it may have even [unintentionally] redirected the flow towards your home.”
You don’t have any water butts
Landscape gardener Roddy Crowther says: “A water butt is not only a godsend when another hosepipe ban comes into effect and you need to feed your plants, but connecting a water butt to downpipes captures some rain runoff from the roof and slows the surge of water entering public drainage systems during heavy storms.”
Emptying your water butt before planned downpours also gives you more spare capacity.
Your soil is too compacted
Crowther says heavily compacted lawns and flower beds – especially that have been baking in weeks of sunshine – can behave almost like paving: “Compacted soil drastically increases local flood risk. When the tiny air pockets inside soil are crushed, water cannot soak into the ground. Instead, heavy rain turns into fast-moving surface runoff, quickly overwhelming local drains and causing flash floods.”
To improve drainage on compacted dried-out lawns, Crowther recommends spiking or aerating the soil so rainwater can flow more easily into the ground, rather than puddling on the surface. “Wait until the standing water has drained away, or in small areas just sweep it off the lawn into the borders before aerating.”
You can use a garden fork to spike the lawn or a hollow-tined aeration tool, which removes soil plugs. The holes should ideally be 10–15cm (4–6in) deep.
‘Regular maintenance on water outlets around your home prevents them from becoming an issue,’ says Neil MckenzieYou haven’t noticed debris in gutters and drains
Clearing the drains may feel like an autumn problem, but this summer’s dry, hot weather has led to trees shedding earlier, so make sure to clear up any leaves, soil, moss and other debris, as these can turn an otherwise manageable downpour into localised flooding. You might also want to check drains in your street outside your house.
Mckenzie says: “Regular maintenance on water outlets around your home prevents them from becoming an issue. If you can’t complete this yourself safely, it’s best to reach out to family or even a specialist to get the work done for you.”
You assume you’re safe because your door is secure
People often assume a standard front door will block floodwaters entirely, or that sealing it prevents all indoor damage, but Simon Trenerry, technical advisor and expert in damp-proofing and waterproofing at Safeguard Europe, says this is not always the case.
“Air bricks, gaps around pipes and cracks in masonry can all provide routes into a property for flood water. Regular checks and repairs, as well as considering self-closing air bricks, can help prevent flood water getting into the home,” he says.
You’ve made changes to the property without considering future flood risk
Luke Burford, a builder with more than 20 years’ experience, says patios and extensions can become a flooding problem when not properly considered. “I’ve seen plenty that have been laid with the wrong fall, meaning instead of directing water away from the property, they actually encourage it to run towards the walls. It might seem like a small mistake, but during a period of heavy rainfall, you can end up with a huge amount of water collecting against the [side of the] house.”
Burford’s advice is to think carefully before changing ground levels around your property or building an extension: “Raising a patio or garden area without considering the existing drainage can unintentionally create a route for water straight towards the house.”
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