Even a minor flood can disrupt trading, damage valuable stock, and harm your reputation with guests and customers.
Preparing your hotel, restaurant, café or pub before the worst of the weather hits is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Here are practical steps you can take to flood-proof your premises:
1. Clear Your Gutters and Drains
Blocked gutters are one of the leading causes of localised flooding around buildings. Leaves, moss, and debris can stop rainwater from draining properly, sending it down your walls and into your property instead. Arrange for your gutters, downpipes, and drains to be cleaned before heavy rainfall is forecast. This simple measure alone can save thousands in water damage repairs.
2. Check Your Flood Risk
Use the Environment Agency’s online flood maps to assess the risk level in your area. If your premises are in a medium or high-risk zone, you’ll want to take additional measures such as sandbags, flood barriers, or even permanent flood doors.
3. Install Flood Barriers and Door Guards
Removable flood barriers, door dams, and airbrick covers are a cost-effective way of keeping floodwater out of your premises. These can be fitted quickly when warnings are issued and stored away when not in use.
4. Protect Electrical Systems and Appliances
If your property is at risk of flooding, consider raising electrical sockets, wiring, and key appliances above expected flood levels. For kitchens, this can mean elevating fridges, freezers, and other costly equipment.
5. Create a Flood Emergency Plan
Make sure your staff know exactly what to do if a flood warning is issued. This should include shutting off electricity and gas safely, moving stock and furniture to higher ground, and deploying barriers or sandbags. Training your team reduces panic and speeds up response time.
6. Review Your Insurance Cover
Check that your insurance covers flood damage and business interruption. Many policies exclude certain flood-related losses, so now is the time to clarify and, if necessary, upgrade your protection.
7. Secure Your Outdoor Areas
If you have a beer garden, pavement seating, or outdoor equipment, make sure items can either be brought inside quickly or secured firmly. Loose tables, chairs, and bins can be swept away in fast-flowing water, causing damage and safety hazards.
8. Work With Neighbours
Flooding often affects entire streets. Work together with neighbouring businesses to share resources like pumps, barriers, or sandbags. A collective response can be faster and more effective.
Flood-proofing your hotel, restaurant, café or pub isn’t just about preventing water damage, it’s about ensuring business continuity, protecting your staff and guests, and avoiding costly downtime. Start with simple preventative measures such as clearing your gutters and drains, and then build up your resilience with barriers, emergency plans, and the right insurance.
Preparation today could mean staying open tomorrow.
https://www.floodre.co.uk for information on flood insurance
http://www.floodmary.com the official website of Flood Mary, aka Mary Long-Dhonau OBE.