What Is Property Flood Resilience (PFR) and Why It Matters for Your Home

Flooding is an ever-growing concern for UK homeowners, with around 1 in 6 properties now considered at risk. Recent storms have shown how quickly heavy rainfall can disrupt communities, particularly when intense downpours overwhelm drainage systems and surface water builds up. In the South-West, Storm Chandra brought significant flooding to Somerset and surrounding areas, with parts of the UK still feeling the effects from Storm Ingrid and Storm Goretti.

Events like these highlight the importance of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) – an approach focused on reducing the damage flooding can cause and helping properties recover more quickly when it does occur.

At Ashfield Solutions, we help homeowners, developers and businesses understand their flood exposure and implement practical solutions that strengthen resilience at property level.

What Is Property Flood Resilience (PFR)?

Property Flood Resilience refers to measures that help buildings withstand flooding and recover more easily afterwards. Rather than assuming a property can be completely protected from water, modern resilience strategies recognise that flooding may still occur in extreme conditions.

The focus is therefore on minimising damage, reducing disruption, and speeding up recovery. PFR typically involves a combination of physical interventions, professional assessments, and preparedness planning.

The approach is often described through three key principles:

Resistance

Resistance measures aim to reduce the likelihood of floodwater entering a property, or at least limit how much gets inside. We now talk about ‘better protecting’ rather than simply ‘protecting’, recognising that no measures can completely prevent flood damage during extreme events.

Examples include:

⦁ External door protection, including flood doors or demountable barriers.

⦁ Flood-resistant airbrick covers that stop water entering ventilation points

⦁ Non-return valves installed in drainage systems to prevent water backing up through toilets or sinks

⦁ Sealing brickwork or external walls with specialist waterproof coatings

⦁ Sealing service entry points where pipes or cables pass through external walls

⦁ Sub‑floor sump pumps for managing rising water.

These measures can help manage water pathways and reduce the immediate impact of flooding.

Recoverability

Even with resistance measures in place, some flooding may still occur. Recoverability focuses on making a property easier and faster to repair after a flood.

This might include:

• Replacing carpets with tiled or hard flooring that can be cleaned and dried more easily.

• Raising electrical sockets, services and white goods/valuables above potential flood depths

• Using waterproof magnesium oxide wall boards instead of plasterboard, or, if plasterboard is used, this is fitted horizontally so only the lower boards need replacement if damaged. Alternatively, use of lime-based plaster.

• Installing removable fixtures or resilient internal finishes.

Designing interiors with recovery in mind can significantly reduce repair costs and downtime following a flood.

Preparedness

Preparedness ensures that homeowners are ready to respond quickly if flooding is forecast or begins to occur.

This may involve:

• Keeping emergency equipment such as puddle pumps available
• Using inflatable toilet bungs to prevent surcharging/backflow during flood events
• Having a clear plan for items that need deploying such as installing temporary flood barriers or covers
• Understanding how to safely isolate utilities and protect valuables
• Registering for the National Flood Warning Service (where available for your property) and keeping up to date with weather warnings

• Keeping a ‘grab bag’ with essential items such as medication, a torch, spare keys, and copies of important documents

Preparedness is an essential part of Property Flood Resilience, helping people stay ready to act, especially as flooding can sometimes occur suddenly and without any formal warning.

How Property-Level Surveys Identify the Right Solutions

No two buildings respond to flooding in exactly the same way. The effectiveness of flood resilience measures depends on the construction of the property, surrounding ground levels, and local drainage conditions.

This is why professional flood mitigation surveys are an important part of the process.

At Ashfield Solutions, our trusted consultants undertake detailed surveys to understand how water could potentially affect a property. This may include analysing:

• The building’s construction materials and structural layout
• Flood mapping and hazard data
• Entry points such as airbricks, doors, vents, and drainage connections
• Local topography and surrounding ground levels
• Historic flooding data and nearby drainage issues

By combining this information with national flood datasets and local insight, we can identify the most effective resilience options for each property.

The Role of the CIRIA Code of Practice

Property Flood Resilience assessments and installations are guided by the CIRIA Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience (C790), which provides a structured framework for delivering consistent and effective resilience solutions.

This code sets out a series of stages to ensure properties receive appropriate and well-designed measures.

Ashfield Solutions supports several key stages within this framework, including:

Standard 1 – Hazard Assessment
Understanding the type and severity of flood risk affecting a property.

Standard 2 – Property Survey
Inspecting the building to identify vulnerabilities and potential water entry points.

Standard 3 – Options Design and Development
Developing tailored resilience measures suited to the specific building and flood scenarios.

Standard 5 – Commissioning and Handover
Confirming that installed measures are functioning correctly through a physical or virtual audit and ensuring property owners understand how to use them.

Following these recognised standards ensures resilience measures are evidence-based, appropriate, and effective.

Supporting Property Owners Across the UK

For the last twenty years, Ashfield Solutions has helped clients from Plymouth to Pembrokeshire, Brighton to Bristol and all over the UK manage environmental risk and implement practical flood resilience solutions. 

We are proud to work with and be recognised by leading organisations across the flood resilience sector, including:

• The Admiral Flood Force Team – supporting nationwide flood resilience initiatives in partnership with the National Trust.
• The International Property Flood Resilience Association (IPFRA) – associate members promoting professional standards in PFR.
• Aviva (Risk Management Solutions & Build Back Better) – appointed Specialist Partner for expert flood risk guidance, pre and post claims.
• Martello – delivering concise, data-driven flood reports for conveyancers,property professionals and homebuyers.

Building Resilience for the Future

Flood risk is evolving, and understanding how it affects individual properties is becoming increasingly important for homeowners, buyers and developers alike.

Property Flood Resilience offers a practical way to reduce damage, recover faster and adapt buildings to changing environmental conditions.

If you are purchasing a property, planning a new development or extension, or simply want to understand the flood risk affecting your home or business, contact Ashfield Solutions today on 01443 803540. Our friendly team can help you assess your risks and implement effective property flood‑resilience measures that reduce damage, speed up recovery, and protect your investment.