| Flood protection is vital for any home at risk of flooding | | | | any home and at anytime. |
| and in this article we'll discuss the different types of | | | | |
| flooding and the crucial part the humble sandbag plays | | | | River floods can affect large areas |
| in flood defences. | | | | The UK's Environment Agency produces a map of |
| Flooding is becoming an increasing risk for many | | | | areas deemed as high risk and it is vital that if you live |
| home-owners. In England and Wales alone, nearly 5 | | | | in one of these areas you put some thought into |
| million households are at risk of flooding and as more | | | | proper planning to prevent flooding and to prepare for |
| and more homes are being built in high risk areas, the | | | | it by thinking about flood defences and flood protection. |
| problem is expected to get worse. | | | | The aim of flood defences is to: prevent, delay and |
| Flooding is not just a problem for those living near the | | | | limit the damage of water getting onto a home. |
| coastline or rivers either. Floods can happen anywhere | | | | One of the most common and useful flood defence |
| and at anytime, particularly after a heavy rainfall and it | | | | tools is the humble sandbag. These can be stacked |
| is important to be aware of the risks of flooding and | | | | into walls to prevent water from getting in and have |
| types flood protection available. There are numerous | | | | been used for centuries in preventing flood risks. They |
| causes of flooding many of which can happen | | | | are cheap, easy to store and provide excellent |
| anywhere even if you live miles from a main source of | | | | defence against flooding. |
| water. The main causes of flooding are: | | | | Unfortunately there are downsides to the sandbag. |
| River flooding – rivers can burst their banks after | | | | Traditional sandbags have to be filled-up in advance of |
| heavy rainfall and this can lead to one of the most | | | | any flooding. Unfortunately not every flood can be |
| widespread types of flooding and reservoirs and lakes | | | | predicted and often there is not enough time to |
| can burst their banks too. | | | | prepare the sandbags in advance. |
| Coastal flooding – is often caused by storms but | | | | However, a new type of instant sandbag is available |
| with climate change expecting to cause rising | | | | that does away with the need for sand completely. |
| sea-levels this type of flooding could increase. | | | | These instant sandbags use water, and once soaked |
| | | | for a few minutes, an instant sandbag will fill up and act |
| Groundwater Floods – caused by lack of drainage | | | | exactly the same way as a traditional sand bag. |
| of groundwater particularly in areas built on permeable | | | | Instant sandbags are part of a arsenal of new flood |
| rock | | | | defence innovations available in the struggle against |
| | | | flooding and we'll discuss some other new methods of |
| Surface and sewer water flooding – Caused by | | | | flood defence in later articles. |
| blocked drains and sewers, this type of flooding can hit | | | | |