Two Castles Housing, Carlisle

Client: Two Castles Housing

The Problem

Carlisle was severely flooded in December 2015 when Storm Desmond brought prolonged, torrential rainfall to the area; over 2,000 properties were directly affected. On 6th December, the flow in the River Eden was the highest ever recorded, with flood levels in some areas 600mm higher than the previous record set in January 2005.

Two Castles Housing, a Carlisle-based Housing Association, identified 47 properties that required flood protection. A key requirement was that the flood defences should provide effective protection without impacting the visual appearance of the properties.

The Solution

Flood defences were installed that provided a holistic approach to protection. Windows were constructed with a ‘top opening’ function, and weep vents were strategically positioned in the lower door frames to prevent internal condensation. Doors and windows incorporated specially designed seals and locking mechanisms to minimise the risk of flood water entering the property, all without negatively impacting the visual appearance.

The passive nature of the products provided residents with reliable, low-maintenance protection. Additional measures—including Non-Return Valves, Flood Defender Barriers, and Anti-Flood Airbricks—were installed where required to deliver complete, comprehensive flood resilience.