Tips: Safety from floods and heavy rain

Homeowners should protect their houses against floods and heavy rain by taking appropriate measures. This is pointed out by the non-profit consultancy co2online. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heavy rain and flooding.

During floods, the cellar is the biggest weak point in the house. Above all, windows and sewage pipes are often not sufficiently secured. Normal basement windows cannot withstand the water pressure for long. To increase security, conversions may be necessary. One possibility is to provide basement windows and light shafts with covers or flaps.

The sewage system can also quickly become overloaded during heavy rainfall. This often leads to rainwater, sewage and faeces flowing back into the house. Backwater valves prevent water from entering. Such backwater valves can also be retrofitted.

In outdoor areas, unsealing is an effective measure against flooding and heavy rain. Sealed surfaces such as asphalted roads or concrete surfaces prevent rainwater from percolating into the ground and lead to surface runoff and flooding. Unsealing not only reduces the risk of flooding, but also promotes ecological diversity and improves the microclimate.

Another effective outdoor measure is the installation of a drainage system. This allows rainwater or backwater to be drained off in a targeted manner. This is particularly useful for older houses that are susceptible to rising seepage. A rainwater cistern also contributes to flood protection. Water from roofs and other surfaces can be collected in an above-ground or underground tank, relieving the burden on the sewage system. The collected rainwater can be used by the homeowner for watering the garden, for example.

For new buildings, flood protection should already be included in the initial planning. In this way, the risk of expensive flood damage can be reduced cost-effectively and expensive retrofitting can be avoided.

(Photo: © Analogicus, Pixabay)