Products

Watertight International has launched a Flood Protection System that offers total protection to a property at risk of damage by flooding. The system is the only product currently on the market to achieve British Standard PAS 1188 2009 and has also been awarded kitemark BSI certification. Watch a video of the product under kitemark test conditions by clicking here.

“Our patented system is based on the simple premise that if every means by which water might enter your home is blocked effectively, then your building and its contents will remain as safe and dry as possible,” explains Peter Mooney, chief executive for Watertight International.

Climate change has significantly increased the risk of flooding in the UK and over 5.7 million homes are currently at risk. These properties can find it difficult or even impossible to obtain insurance for flood protection and if a house is uninsurable, it can be difficult to sell because it is unlikely that mortgage finance will be granted for it. However, with the Watertight International Flood Protection System in place, insurance is enabled even where buildings insurance has been refused before.

The Watertight International Flood Protection System comprises three elements: flood barriers that fit over doors and windows; non-return valves to prevent backflow from outside drains; and wall sealants for brickwork. Each element can be purchased separately, but when used together as a complete system, protection of the property against flooding is at a maximum level.

Watertight Flood Barriers fit over windows, doors and air vents and protect these particularly vulnerable parts of a property up to first floor level. They are tailored for each property and made in the UK from recycled materials. Using the supplied toolkit, the barriers can be fitted over each aperture when needed. When the bolts that hold a barrier in place are tightened to the pre-determined degree they pneumatically seal the unit, making the barrier totally watertight. When the barriers are not in place the wall socket can be covered using unobtrusive caps.

Watertight S500 Wall Sealant seals walls against water, yet still allows them to breathe. The treatment leaves no visible sign of having been applied so is suitable for all buildings, including those with a conservation order on them. Not only does this treatment stop water coming through porous brickwork, but it also rectifies any problems caused by badly fitted pipes and cables Watertight Non-Return Valves are simply pushed into existing pipe work to remove the problem of backflow, which is foul water flowing back into the property via toilets, plugholes and waste pipes.

This is the cause of pproximately 50% of all household floods. In times of flooding this is the result of drains being unable to cope with the volume of water and instead of draining away floods back into the house. The valves require no new manhole outside the property and can be fitting in a matter of minutes.

An outline estimate can be obtained by providing measurements of the property to either the Watertight International website (www.watertightinternational.com) or phoning (01858 546810). If that estimate is acceptable a site survey should then be booked, which will confirm or adjust the quote.

Delivery should be within 8 weeks of an order being placed and if a full system has been ordered, the bespoke package will include: door, window and airbrick barriers, S550 wall sealant, non-return valves, tools, storage kit and a demo DVD. Installation is by the Watertight International approved team and a demonstration is given as to how to fit the barriers in the event of a flood alert. Finally a further site survey is carried out.

Insurance can then be enabled. Any subsequent queries can be handled by a 24-hour hot line and/or the householder can subscribe to a maintenance package, if desired.

Once the system is in place, it is important that the householder registers with the DEFRA Flood Defence Hot Line to ensure that they are warned about any imminent floods.

The Watertight International system is competitively priced. The cost is subject to survey and will vary from one property to another depending on size of property, location and specific conditions. The following costs are given for a guideline only:
Based on a 3-bedroom semi-detached house, full system cover up to 1.2 metres would cost c. £3,750; cover up to 2 metres would cost c. £6,750.

Door flood barriers cost from £455 (fitted); and window flood barriers from £299 (fitted). The non-return valves costs from £79.95.

“We believe that the introduction of this system is well timed,” says Mooney. “The incidents of flooding have increased significantly in recent years, usually hitting a different area of the country each time.

Those that install the Watertight International system in advance of a flooding in their area will be able to protect their property from the ravages of such inclement weather. We are pleased to be able to offer that level of peace of mind.”

Watch the Watertight International’s Flood Protection System undergo BSI Kitemark testing video.