Turning the tide on the impact of flooding

It’s safe to say that here in the UK, we’re used to a spot of rain. But climate change means that we’re now getting more regular bouts of extreme weather, which are increasingly leading to cases of flooding. What’s scary is that this is only set to get worse, with cases expected to rise by a third!

So, let’s take a closer look at what’s causing the problem and what you can do to help your customers prepare and protect their homes.

Why is climate change increasing flooding?

Our planet is slowly but surely getting warmer and this means that the atmosphere can now hold a lot more water. When this water is released, it results in heavier downpours. Extreme rainfall like this over a short period of time creates flash flooding, and these incidents will only become more common if temperatures keep on increasing.

On top of this, rising sea levels pose a serious threat as shown by the statistics that came out at COP26. Recent studies have shown that between 2013 and 2021, sea levels have doubled (compared to the rise from 1993-2002). This means that in years to come, coastal towns and villages will be susceptible to severe cases of flooding on a more regular basis.

What will flooding look like in future?

Unless we take drastic measures, flooding will become more frequent and more severe. In fact, by 2080, UK flooding could increase by up to 35%, with Scotland expected to be hit hardest. Even the slightest of increases can have a detrimental impact on communities, infrastructure and people’s livelihoods, so these statistics are really concerning.

The problem with such a sharp rise in flooding is that there currently aren’t enough flood mitigation systems in place to cope with this, and so we need to be investing in more of them.

What can be done to lessen the burden?

For us to be able to turn the tide on the effect of flooding, we need to invest in effective flood mitigation solutions that won’t let us down. While a lot of this comes down to government action in the form of better flood defenses and preventative measures, what does this mean for your customers?

Homeowners can also contribute to these efforts and should be thinking of ways they can help protect their homes from the future threat of flooding. Effective alterations to homes include installing proper driveway drainage systems that will make sure excess water doesn’t gather in front of the property. The ACO HexDrain Plastic Grating Channel is a great solution and is made from recycled materials. Along with installing proper drainage, making sure that there’s plenty of fall on patios and driveways also helps to make sure that the water is carried away from homes.

Another solution for your customer is to suggest updating their rainwater systems to have increased capacity; this will allow their drainage system to handle more water. This means investing in products such as downpipes and guttering that can withstand heavy rainfall. Even simpler measures could involve protecting a property with sand during times of flooding. We recommend advising your customers to have a stock of this in the home, as it could go a long way.

On a larger scale, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are going to play a large part in tackling these issues. These systems mimic a more natural way of filtering water and involve low maintenance natural infrastructures, like ponds and swales, or large capacity below ground tanks, to provide a drainage solution that slowly releases water back into the surrounding area. This means that the excess water is filtered at a controlled rate, making it less likely to result in flooding. If your next project would benefit from SuDS, you may want to look to include Marshall’s permeable paving system.

By being aware of the issues facing us and suggesting these solutions, you can help your customers future-proof their homes and help mitigate the looming threat of increased flooding. At Jewson, we are working hard to make many of these solutions available to our customers, so keep an eye on this space!

For more guidance, support and to find more sustainable products and solutions, head over to the Jewson Making Better Homes Hub.