Frequently Asked Questions
We intend to update this section of the website pretty regularly, so if you have a question for us that you think should be here please email us at enquiries@watertightinternational.com or post it to our office at North Lane, Foxton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7RF.
1. Do I need the complete Watertight System?
2. I am worried about flood water coming through my doors. What should I do?
3. I have window barriers as well as door barriers. Why would I need these?
4. What other barriers will I need to think about?
5. I need to stop water coming back through my drain outlets, such as toilets, baths, and sinks. What should I do?
6. Why do I need to seal my walls? Aren't they waterproof?
7. I think water might come up through the ground. How can I protect against this?
1. Do I need the complete Watertight System?
This is a very common question and the simple answer is; it’s up to you! Watertight have developed the most comprehensive and sophisticated system to protect your property from flooding, that is why we can enable Buildings Insurance, that is why we are approved by Zurich Building Guarantee and that is why our products will be the first to be approved by the BSI kitemark for the new standard PAS 1188 2009…..no one else can match this quality and back-up.
Therefore if you want the best and most thorough protection on the market then buy the complete system.
If you only want to protect a certain area or aspect of your property (for example, one door panel or non-return valves for your drain outlets) then simply buy the specific component(s) that you require.
2. I am worried about flood water coming through my doors. What should I do?
Water will always find a way through unprotected doors, unless they have been installed and built specifically to stop water coming in (which is unusual, to say the least). We can protect your doors by fitting Watertight Flood Barriers.
3. I have window barriers as well as door barriers. Why would I need these?
In some areas flood water can rise higher than the bottom of the ground floor windows. Windows, like doors, will not hold flood water back, even if the flood is only for a short time. If you are concerned that the flood levels you are likely to experience are approaching window height, then we would recommend that you consider window barriers as well as door barriers.
4. What other barriers will I need to think about?
Take a quick look around your house and think about the level that flood water will achieve, you need to protect all openings and meters that are under threat. For example:
• Airbricks
• Electricity meter cupboards
• Gas meter cupboards
• Cable TV boxes
• Telecomms boxes
….and so on. Watertight can provide covers for all of these and more.
5. I need to stop water coming back through my drain outlets, such as toilets, baths, and sinks. What should I do?
You always need to consider protecting your drain outlets. Nearly half of insurance claims due to ‘flooding’ are because of foul water coming back into property via drain outlets. Fortunately, Watertight have a unique solution with our push-in non-return valves. These are far easier to install and much, much cheaper than the traditional solution which involves sinking a new manhole and fitting a large Non-return valve. Yet they provide the same amount of protection.
6. Why do I need to seal my walls? Aren't they waterproof?
I’m afraid it is very sensible to seal your walls. You may not realise this but most bricks and especially mortar are porous and will let water in after only very short periods of time. If you want to test this yourself, get hold of a standard brick and sit the end in water, go back an hour later and you will clearly see how much water the brick has absorbed.
7. I think water might come up through the ground. How can I protect against this?
There are numerous reasons why water might come up through your floor. If water is getting in via unprotected airbricks, the fix is easy. However, if your property is built on permeable material, the solution may be considerably harder to track down. The geology of your area, the structure of your floors and foundations, local water table levels may all play a part. That's why we recommend a survey.
The best way of understanding the risk to your property is to book a survey. Click here to book a survey.
Contact Watertight International
Help required? If you require help, have questions or queries or if you would prefer to speak with an adviser:
Call: 01858 546 810 or Contact us here.
