Useful tips for effective flood protection

We give you useful tips on how you can effectively protect your home from the threat of flooding

Heavy rain events with the threat of flooding are not decreasing and the risk of flooding is expected to continue in the future. The risk of flooding is often unpredictable and hits most homeowners unexpectedly and, above all, unprepared. What preparations can be made to prevent damage to the home? We will give you tips for effective flood protection.

Tips for new buildings:

When building new houses, care should be taken to ensure that as little surface area as possible is sealed, ie concreted or asphalted. The less surface area is sealed, the better the water can seep away and accordingly less water runs off above ground. When building new houses in an area at risk of flooding, for example near a river, basements should be avoided if possible. In addition, staircases should be provided at house entrances and basement light shafts should be walled, in if possible.

Protection of external walls:

In order to protect your house wall, check your gutters at regular intervals and clean them if necessary. During heavy rain events, clogged gutters can overflow and cause damage to the house wall. External walls should be waterproof, especially in the vulnerable base areas. One possible solution for this is to use tiles that are installed with tight joints, such as stoneware tiles. The seals should be checked and maintained at regular intervals.

Precautions for the basement:

It is not advisable to stay in a flooded basement during a flood. It is also particularly important to turn off the power in all flooded rooms, as there is a risk of electric shock. In flooded rooms, some doors, especially basement doors, can no longer be opened. In areas at risk of flooding, it is not advisable to store valuable items such as expensive furniture in the basement in order to limit any possible damage. In addition, hazardous materials such as chemicals should not be stored on the basement floor, as there is a risk of contamination of the relevant rooms in the event of flooding. Heating oil tanks should be secured accordingly, ideally with professional anchoring to the building to prevent them from floating and leaking. If such cases do occur, alert the fire department immediately.

Installation of backflow flaps on water and sewage pipes:

Rainfall leads to a rise in the water level in the sewer system. In the event of heavy rain, the rise is correspondingly rapid and can become a danger to your private home. The wastewater level in the sewer system can reach the private drainage connections and this can lead to backflow in the house connection. As a result, wastewater could enter the building through the sewer line, especially but not exclusively in the basement. A professionally installed backflow flap offers effective protection against this. Contact us in case of need. Every homeowner is responsible for effective backflow protection and this is often a decisive criterion in the event of an insurance claim.

Set up a water collection container:

The installation of water collection containers can help to minimize the consequences of heavy rain events and the associated flooding. The water collected in the water collection containers can ensure that the amount of water flowing away is significantly reduced, especially when the soil does not have good suction power. Rain barrels, for example, are suitable as above-ground water collection containers, while cisterns are an underground solution. The water collected here can then be used to irrigate the garden, thus reducing water consumption. The installation of a garden pond is not only a visual enhancement on the property, but can also serve as a water collection depot.

Weak points passages, doors and windows:

Common weak points are leaks in the house through which water can penetrate. A plumber should professionally seal openings for electricity, gas or telephone lines as well as heating pipes using sealing material to ensure they are pressure-tight.

Doors and windows are also classic weak points. ATEC flood protection systems are ideal for preventing water from penetrating these areas. ATEC flood protection systems are customised for you in three different designs, various clear widths and protection heights. We keep coming across similar products on the market, which we, as a specialist company in the field of flood protection, would advise against, as the advertised products often do not withstand the hydrostatic loads of a flood. Our long-lasting products, on the other hand, offer you reliable flood protection for your home.

If you need a wider system or a higher protection height than those listed in the online shop, for example for garages, please contact us. We will be happy to help you to find your personal flood protection system.