Flood precautions: raise power outlet sockets and more flood things

One of the items on the Env. Agency information pack which arrived to day was to raise the height of electrical power outley sockets to 1.5 m.

A few things;

Is this ok to do under the electrical wiring regulations?

As the cables will certainly not reach to the new socket outlet, would it be in order to join an additional length in the lower socket, sealing the joint with some kind of waterproof - er seal? If so what can do this job?

Also, is there (does such exist) some kind of kit for water-sealing the entire distribution board switchgear - ie Consumer unit, mcb units meteres etc? The work (and cost and finding a suitable high location) of moving it would be a last resort solution.

Who sells sandbags? The Env Agency tell us to get some - but never where?

Ditto for airbrick waterproof covers

Fianlly they advise fitting non-return valves in the watre supply. Reckon I can do that ok and B& Q probably have them. Where should they be fitted through. Hot and cold supply?

Thanks for any pointers on any of the above.

Reply to
dave
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Yes.

The raised outlets are intended to be used with "drop downs" from a ground floor ringmain installed at first floor level

Use pillowcases

No, this is to prevent backflow from sewage pipes - nothing to do with h&c supplies.

More comprehensive advice here:

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Reply to
RubberBiker

Local builders merchants?

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linked from the EA site

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Reply to
Owain

Was the 1.5m height specific to your house?

Adam

Reply to
ARWadsworth

Doesn't seem much point if you are likely to end up flooded. Insurance companies won't take the risk of a "waterproof" joint not being water proof, they'll still want the full rewire.

See above.

Your local council should supply as needed but don't rely on them doing so in a timely manner.

Might slow things down a bit but TBH there is not a lot you can do once the water is lapping above the DPC other than hope it doesn't get any deeper.

That is to protect the mains water supply from nasty sewage laden flood water but unless *every* house has one in the rising main I can't see any point.

How much risk are you actually at from flood? Wander over to the EA site and look at their flood area mapping. Then look at a large scale map yourself and see if you are likely to end up under 6' of water or just lapping the doorstep.

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

course

no, the chance of several such connections staying waterproof IRL is low. Is not hard to run cable round above, and drop down to new sockets. More work if you bury the cable.

realistically, no.

any bag or sack the sand doesnt fall out of will do. Rubble sacks arent expensive. Sacks of all types take a while to fill though. What depth of protection do you need?

NT

Reply to
meow2222

There seems to be some wideheld belief that sandbags provide protection from flooding. They only slow down the rate of water ingress, they do not stop it as they and the sand within are permeable. If you want to do something effective you need to have a pump behind the sandbag barrier to remove the inevitable leakage. Far more effective to cut yourself some closely fitting flood stop boards to stick in the doorway and seal with some clay to the wall/floor. Similarly for airbricks but if the DPC is under water leakage through the joint of the wall will occur

Reply to
cynic

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