Home flood resilience for the UK
Keep the water out, and know what to do if it gets in.
Drystead is the plain-English UK guide to protecting a home from flooding: what you actually need for your house, what to ask before you buy, and what to do on the night.
- Check your risk
- Choose the right protection
- Know what to do on the night
Flood plan and protection planner
Worked example
For a house with an upstairs in England, 2 external doors, 1 patio or french doors, 4 air bricks low on the outside walls, where the official checker says medium risk:
- Things to consider: sign up for free flood warnings; think about a property flood resilience survey; flood barriers or flood doors for external doors (2); barriers for patio or french doors (1); air brick covers or self-closing air bricks (4); non-return valves on drains and waste pipes; seal gaps in walls and around frames; raise sockets and wiring at your next refurb.
- A printable flood plan with the numbers to call, where to turn off the gas, electricity and water, and what to move upstairs.
- No prices: measure your doors and air bricks first, then get quotes.
Source: Environment Agency, checked 23 Oct 2026; GOV.UK, checked 23 Oct 2026; CIRIA, checked 23 Oct 2026
Guides by topic
- Check your flood riskWhere flooding comes from, which official checker covers your nation, and what your flood-risk result does and doesn't tell you about your home.
- Property flood resilienceWhat property flood resilience means, the difference between keeping water out and recovering faster, the CIRIA code of practice, and what BS 851188 certification covers.
- Flood doors and barriersRemovable door barriers, permanent flood doors and patio door protection: how each works, what to measure first and what certification to look for.
- Air bricks and other entry pointsAir brick covers, self-closing air bricks, non-return valves, sealing, and sumps and pumps: the less obvious ways water reaches a home.
- Flood plans and warningsHow to sign up for free flood warnings in each UK nation, make a household flood plan, and what to do when a warning is issued.
- Insurance and Flood ReHow Flood Re works, which homes it covers, and how Build Back Better can pay for flood resilience after a claim. Facts only: we don't recommend insurers.
- After a floodWhat to do after a flood in the UK: going back in safely, getting gas and electrics checked, photographing damage for your insurer, and Build Back Better.
- Buying a home with flood riskFlood risk turned up in your searches? What it means, what to ask the seller, and how a survey helps you decide.
Where we fit
The official checkers
Tell you if your home is at risk. We link straight to them and never copy their data.
Drystead
Answers what you actually need for your house, what to ask before you buy, and what to do on the night. Every fact links to its source.
Manufacturers and installers
Sell and fit the products. We explain what to ask them, and we don't take a cut of any quote.