Better low cost ways to protect a house against floodwater

Only so much can be done with existing houses. The best way is to build the house higher off the ground, on stilts or a raised basement/sump under the house and pump. But apparently planning tends to refuse this - examples are the Somerset farmer and Paul Daniels. That is the problem with this country - nothing is coordinated with anything else. If I was (part of) the government I would put a new edict on planning to encourage raised houses in flood prone areas. Simon.

On Friday 14 February 2014 14:24 James Harris wrote in uk.d-i-y:

Ideall

Balloon on a tube, round the bend and inflate.

Even better would be having a non return valve in the drain further along.

Often done with metal frames and perspex around here (for short barriers).

Pumps - it's the only way to be sure I think...

On Friday 14 February 2014 14:35 sm_jamieson wrote in uk.d-i-y:

Indeed. Around here, new houses on the flood plains are built 1st floor and upwards with an inbuilt garage occupying the "ground floor". Makes complete sense as the risk is limited and the most expensive asset is inherently movable easily. (uk-d-i-y'ers workshops excepted!)

Plastic football. Insert into pan deflated, then inflate.

here, any water getting under the house comes up from the ground and not through airbricks, so there's be little point.

In article , James Harris scribeth thus

Just out of curiosity what do you do with the 'err solid wastes, if you can't dump 'em down the drains and if the garden is flooded to bury it;?....

On 14/02/2014 14:35, sm_jamieson wrote: ...

I note that a development on a road I know that has, occasionally, flooded in the past had the ground floor of all the houses about a metre above street level. As the 100 year flood level would be about a quarter of that it should be adequate to prevent them flooding.

Colin Bignell

Aren't there rules now about no steps thus facilitating wheel-chair access? How do they deal with that.

Cue thread convergence.

Well there is if you want to pump it out to keep it below floorboard level.

Tim

That will likely lead to all sorts of "humorous" scatalogical replies. Before they arrive I'll make a serious response.

A google for portable toilet throws up a load of potential solutions at surprisinly low prices such as 20 to 100. They would do for a limited period much as a caravan toilet would.

One might need to buy locally. The average courier doesn't have a marine service. That said, it may be possible to get something delivered to a courier's depot and pick up from there.

Personally, I think I would prefer to stay in my own home if possible. With camping supplies including for cooking if the power goes out it looks like it might be possible.

All I need now is a small boat!

James

Wind forward to 20 minutes

The development I am thinking of has been built for some years now and has only steps at the front. I don't know about access from the car park, which is at the back. However, I have noticed that all current developments with steps do also have an access ramp.

Colin Bignell

my airbricks are below the floorboards (3 courses below the dpc)- to ventilate the undefloor board space. Where are yours?

I would just pull them down and make them build somewhere else. In fact if they flood often and the insurance doesn't pay that may well be the effect.

Or floating houses.

If they have become unobtainable due to demand then a large plastic storage box, preferably one of the deeper versions with a lid that can be removed filled with cat litter may provide relief .Not pleasant to use but needs must and we are only one or two generations away from when earth closets were common place.

G.Harman

Excellent series that, couldn't have cast it better;)...

Or, where it is allowed and ecouraged, the occupants go on the TV news complaining about how their car and freezer in the basement has been flooded and ruined.

jgh

Post it to Eric Pickles