Following the recent cold snap and wet and windy weather across the UK, hot on the heels of the dramatic floods last November, the issue of flooding has never had such a high profile. Changing weather and flooding patterns over the past few years have led to a greater degree of uncertainty of where flooding will actually occur. Flash flooding caused by torrential rainfall overwhelming local drainage is an increasing risk in areas which, previously, had little risk of more predictable river or coastal flooding. So it’s time to get your home protected – with Floodgate to the rescue.
The catastrophic flooding events of 2007 have led to a new report from the Environment Agency* which has estimated that the total costs of that period alone were in the region of £3.2billion and although 76% of households were covered by insurance, almost a quarter of individual home owners were not insured or under-insured and therefore incurred significant losses. Added to the financial cost, it is difficult to estimate the impact of stress on individuals, as well as the far-reaching effects on nature conservation, tourism and the community in general, but the report estimates that the cost to public health was a massive £287 million.
Aside from significant events such as that, many flooding problems cause less media interest because they are on the surface less dramatic, in that they may affect individuals rather than a whole town. It is estimated that across the UK, over five million properties are at risk of flooding at some stage every year. It only takes two inches of water to incur an average cost of £20,000, a significant amount of money, made even worse if not covered by insurance.
Floodgate has been providing protection against flooding for over 10 years by way of a door barrier, which was one of the first flood protection products to pass the stringent physical tests set by the Environment Agency and is accredited with the prestigious BSI Kitemark, a stamp of approval it has held since 2003. In the new report, the Environment Agency concludes that most home owners would be willing to invest in flood defence systems to protect themselves in the event of a flood.
The Floodgate is unique amongst flood barrier products as it requires no modifications to be made to the property where it is fitted. It comprises of a 25mm steel box frame which expands both horizontally and vertically, to fit according to the door size. The frame is covered by a 7mm neoprene jacket which expands with the gate, creating a seal between it and appropriate surfaces. Several Floodgates can be joined together to protect larger entrances, such as garages or even driveways. Crucially, it only takes two minutes to activate, meaning a speedy reaction time if a flood risk is imminent.
Mary Dhonau, Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum believes it is important to take as many protective measures as possible, given her own extensive personal experience of flooding: “There are now so many things you can buy to prevent or minimize damage that weren’t around when I was first flooded. I would urge people to invest in such items to give them peace of mind and stop the terrible damage flooding can inflict.”
Several local councils are advising people to invest in the Floodgate system as opposed to relying on the far less effective sandbags, which need to be delivered if an emergency occurs, thereby reducing protection still further. By installing a Floodgate barrier in your home, you can ensure you are ready to baton down the hatches at any moment if a risk of flooding is likely.
For further information visit www.floodgate.ltd.co.uk