B&Q Flood Prevention Products

[Who Are They?]

Following the floods in late 2013 and early 2014, some B&Q stores are selling flood products under the name of 'Floodtite'. I bought a product called a 'Floodtite Panseal' which is designed to be used in a toilet to prevent backflow of sewage during a flood.

 

I bought two of these from two B&Q stores and a third from Wickes but none of them would even pump up. It is required that they be pumped up to form a seal in the toilet. Each time I tried to pump up the Panseal, it leaked between the pump and the connector. Both B&Q stores have withdrawn the product from sale until the problems is sorted out. I am not sure yet if Wickes has yet done the same.

 

I cannot comment on the other flood products sold by B&Q but they are all made by the same company - Floodtite - and cannot be tested since most are one-time use products. But based on my experience with the Panseal, I would be very wary about buying any Floodtite product.

 

Has anyone else had similar problems with the Panseal?

[rebel11]

Hi who Are They?

 

How much did you pay? How did you pay?

[Who Are They?]

Thanks for your reply reply rebel11. I got my money back OK. I just wanted to warn others who may have bought or are considering buying the same product. There appears to be a design fault which means the Panseal will not pump up. The two B&Q stores are referring the problem to their quality department for assessment. The name of the company is Floodtite - that is all I know. You can find the Panseal on the B&Q website - it costs £34.98p but Wickes price is £45.00p

 

Both B&Q and Wickes website show a photo of a product with the name 'Aquatite' but it seems that should now read 'Floodtite'. The pump that comes with the Panseal just will not work so I used an ordinary bike pump to pump it up and that sort of worked - the problem was I still could not get an effective seal under the toilet rim, so it seems pretty useless really.

 

I have seen a similar product on eBay but I don't want to purchase from an eBay seller. I am now considering a one way valve in the sewer but these can be either £100 or £900 depending on the type of sewer pipe I have (so I am told) and the company won't know until they do a survey (which costs £100 + VAT) At least the Panseal could be tested (to some extent) - I don't know how I could test a one-way valve.

Edited June 13, 2014 by Who Are They?

[rebel11]

O.K. thanks for the info, I'm sure it will be useful to others.