Flooding: 7 things to do before the next heavy rain

September 4, 2026

Flooding does not only concern houses beside a river. Heavy runoff, a saturated network or water collecting in a low point also cause damage.

1. 1

   Identify the low points

   Garage, cellar, plant room or crawl space: spot the places where water would naturally collect.

2. 2

   Check the drains

   A partially blocked gully or pipe greatly reduces drainage capacity.

3. 3

   Maintain your lifting pump

   A pump that has never been serviced fails precisely when you need it most.

4. 4

   Test the floats and alarms

   A safety system is only useful if it works when the water rises.

5. 5

   Check the non-return valve

   It limits the risk of water flowing back in certain installations.

6. 6

   Consider a backup supply

   For sensitive installations, a backup pump or a secured power supply may be worthwhile.

7. 7

   Think about the path of the water

   The best protection starts with a simple question: "If 50, 100 or 200 litres of water arrive here very quickly, where will they go?"