Concrete flooring helps make buildings flood resistant

According to the Environmental Agency, about one in six properties in England are at risk from flooding. Two thirds of property owners are not aware that their properties are at risk. There are many ways to protect properties from water damage including replacing wood floors with concrete flooring.

A recent study by Dr Sien van der Plank from the University of Southampton found that 85% of owners of flood frisk properties believed that flood prevention is the responsibility of the Environmental Agency, not themselves. The Environmental Agency has warned property owners that they must adapt to flood risks as it is unable to protect every UK building. Even in locations where there are flood defences, water may still penetrate buildings.

Flood resilience campaigner Mary Long-Dhonau says:

“We’ve got to learn to live with floods, we’ve got to adapt now, because flooding is going to become the new norm.”

There are several ways to protect properties from flood damage including flood doors, raising the height of electrical sockets, and using steel furniture. Concrete flooring withstands water damage much better than wood or other floor coverings. Concrete floors are standard in most new commercial properties, but many older buildings still have wood flooring. If then property is in a flood risk area, it’s commended that wood floors are replaced with concrete with a non-porous coating.

If concrete floors have been flooded, the floor needs to be thoroughly dried and then cleaned. A superior quality concrete floor should not need to be replaced due to water damage.