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[0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/GB01/05070, with an international filing date of Nov. 16, 2001, published in English under PCT Article 21(2) as International Publication Number WO 02/40785 A2. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
       Field of the Invention  
         [0002]    This invention relates to flood protection apparatus. In particular, it relates to flood protection apparatus that can be deployed to protect premises against inundation of floodwater through a toilet and to a flood protection aperture seal.  
           [0003]    When a property occupier is presented with the prospect of preventing floodwater entering their property, one of the most daunting problems that they must face is the large number of and variety of the number of apertures that are formed through the walls of a typical building. All of these apertures must be sealed if ingress of floodwater is to be prevented.  
           [0004]    Protection of door and window apertures has been addressed in our UK patent application No. 0102215.1 and International Patent Application No. PCT/GB01/04897, and protection of overflow pipes and toilet waste outlets is addressed in out UK patent applications filed on the same date as this application. However, there remain other apertures such as waste outlets and overflows of sinks and baths, and wall air vents that still require protection. It is protection of this latter type of apertures to which this application relates.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    One aspect that is shared in common with the apertures to which this invention relates is that they are often spanned by one or more transverse members. These members may, for example, be a grille of a waste outlet, a support for a rising outlet plug of a waste outlet, or members of a grille of an airbrick. Alternatively or additionally, the aperture may have a periphery upon which a grip can be obtained. The inventors have realised that such a transverse member or the periphery of an aperture can be used to assist in sealing the aperture.  
           [0006]    From a first aspect, this invention provides apparatus for sealing an aperture against ingress of floodwater comprising a cover portion for covering and forming a seal around an aperture, and location means for engaging with a fixed component associated with the aperture to retain the cover portion in place.  
           [0007]    Such apparatus can be used to seal an aperture through which floodwater might otherwise enter a building.  
           [0008]    The cover portion may carry a sealing element that, in use, forms a seal between the cover portion and material at the periphery of the aperture.  
           [0009]    The location means may comprise an element that can be placed under tension to pull the cover portion into engagement with a peripheral region around an aperture to be sealed. The tension element may pass through the cover portion. For example, the tension element may be a bolt. In such cases, the locating means may further comprise a nut that is in threaded engagement with the bolt.  
           [0010]    Additionally, the locating means may provide an engaging formation that can engage with and be retained by the fixed component. For example, the engaging formation may include a hook, for example, carried at an end region of an elongate element.  
           [0011]    The fixed component with which apparatus embodying the invention may engage might be a periphery of the aperture or a component that extends across the aperture. As an example of the latter, the fixed component may be a grille, or a hole for the passage of fluid (e.g. water or ventilating air).  
           [0012]    Apparatus embodying the invention may be provided in combination with additional mounting apparatus that can be disposed in relation to an aperture to provide a formation upon which the locating means can engage. Such additional mounting apparatus can be deployed where there is no existing formation for the location means to engage.  
           [0013]    From a second aspect, the invention provides a flood protection kit including a plurality of apparatus for sealing an aperture against ingress of floodwater embodying the first aspect of the invention. These are typically suitable for application to a range of different apertures. A kit embodying this aspect of the invention may further include additional mounting apparatus as defined in the last-preceding paragraph.  
           [0014]    In flood conditions, one of the most damaging and unpleasant routes for floodwater to enter premises is by reverse flow in the drainage system that causes water to emerge from a toilet bowl. This form of floodwater ingress cannot be prevented by the conventional measure of blocking doors and windows, for example with sandbags, nor by the door and window protection apparatus disclosed in our UK Patent Application No. 0102215.1. As the level of floodwater increases, it may enter the building through an overflow pipe that is normally provided for the cistern of a toilet.  
           [0015]    Given that a toilet is an expensive installation that is often part of a suite, and for many, flooding is a rarity, the inventors have realised that it is unlikely that many householders would be tempted to install any flood protection measure that involved changing the toilet bowl or other apparatus. Therefore, they have concluded that a more effective solution is to provide apparatus that can be rapidly disposed, in the event of a flood warning, to guard against inundation in the event of a flood.  
           [0016]    Therefore, from a third aspect, this invention provides flood protection apparatus comprising a sealing portion and a securing portion whereby the apparatus can be disposed for use in a toilet bowl such that the sealing portion is retained in position by the securing portion to substantially seal an outlet of the toilet bowl.  
           [0017]    Such apparatus can be brought into use as and when there is a risk of flooding, and can subsequently be removed, leaving the toilet bowl unaltered from its original condition.  
           [0018]    Most advantageously, the apparatus is adjustable such that it can be installed in a variety of different toilet bowls. In particular, the securing portion is advantageously adjustable to cooperate with a variety of toilet bowls.  
           [0019]    In typical embodiments, the sealing portion is configured to form a seal within a waste outlet of a toilet bowl. For example, the sealing portion may have a tapering peripheral wall that can be accommodated within various waste outlets of different dimensions, a seal being formed between the peripheral wall and material of the toilet bowl.  
           [0020]    Preferably, the sealing portion is formed of a resilient material that can be deflected so that it can conform to a surface of a toilet bowl against which it is to form a seal. This allows one configuration of a sealing portion to cooperate with a variety of differently shaped toilet bowls. Deflecting means may be provided, operation of the deflecting means causing resilient deformation of the sealing portion to enhance its sealing effectiveness. For example, the deflecting means may cause the sealing portion to compress in a first direction, and thereby expand in a transverse direction.  
           [0021]    In a first arrangement, the securing portion may operate to pull the sealing portion into place. For example, it may cooperate with a suitably shaped part of the waste outlet of the toilet bowl, such as a part of the U-bend.  
           [0022]    Alternatively or additionally, the securing portion may operate to press the sealing portion into place. In one preferred arrangement, the securing portion may engage with an underside of a rim portion of a toilet bowl. For example, the securing formation may comprise rim-engaging formations for engaging with a rim portion, the spacing between the rim-engaging formations being adjustable to conform to different sizes of toilet bowl. The rim-engaging formations may be carried on a bar of adjustable length. In such embodiments, the securing portion is preferably provided with a strut disposed to apply a force to the sealing portion. Advantageously, the strut is of adjustable length to accommodate variations in the configuration of the toilet bowl and to facilitate deployment of the apparatus.  
           [0023]    The inventors have also realised that the presence of a toilet or other plumbing apparatus employing a cistern, especially in a lower floor of a building, can give rise to a further risk in the event of flooding. Such an installation will most usually incorporate an overflow to ensure that water can escape in the event that a level-controlling valve of the cistern fails to operate properly. It is common for such an overflow to include a pipe that exits to the exterior of the building. This can provide an entry path for floodwater.  
           [0024]    From a second aspect, this invention provides apparatus for preventing floodwater for entering an overflow pipe in conditions of flooding, comprising a first component installed at an open end of the overflow pipe, and a second component, operably connectable to the first component, to seal the pipe in conditions in which flooding is expected. Apparatus embodying this aspect of the invention is most advantageously provided in combination with apparatus embodying the first aspect of the invention.  
           [0025]    The first component of apparatus embodying this aspect of the invention may be permanently or semi-permanently installed on the overflow pipe. For example, it may be secured there by adhesive. The second component is typically removable from the first component when conditions of flooding have passed.  
           [0026]    In a typical embodiment, the second component may be secured to the first component by mutually-engagement of threaded portions of the two components.  
           [0027]    From a third aspect, the invention provides a flood protection system comprising flood protection apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with apparatus for preventing floodwater for entering an overflow pipe according to the second aspect of the invention.  
           [0028]    The various aspects of the invention have been described above with reference to protection of buildings against flooding risks. However, it may also find application to protect boats from inundation. Many boats, from small yachts upwards in size, are equipped with flushing toilets. It is known that these can provide a route through which water can enter the vessel, either when it is moored, or when it is underway in rough conditions. Embodiments of the invention might therefore be deployed to prevent water entering the vessel under such circumstances. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 shows a wash-hand basin equipped with two sealing covers each being apparatus embodying the invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a transverse section of a sealing cover in place on the drain outlet in the wash-hand basin of FIG. 1;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 shows a component of securing means of the apparatus of FIG. 2;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 shows an airbrick upon which apparatus embodying the invention is to be mounted;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is a transverse view of the airbrick of FIG. 4 having apparatus embodying the invention mounted upon it;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is an external view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in place on the airbrick;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a cross-section of apparatus embodying the invention deployed in conjunction with additional mounting apparatus;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 shows the additional mounting apparatus in FIG. 7 in greater detail;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 shows a toilet bowl with flood protection apparatus being another embodiment of the invention installed;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is a cross-section of the toilet bowl of FIG. 9;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 shows a toilet bowl with flood protection apparatus being a further embodiment of the invention installed;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 shows a securing portion of the apparatus of FIG. 10;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 shows apparatus being a further embodiment of the invention in place on a cistern overflow pipe; and  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 shows the apparatus of FIG. 13 in cross-section; and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 15 shows the apparatus of FIG. 13 in pace on an overflow pipe in cross-section. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]    With reference first to FIG. 1, a typical wash-hand basin  10  is shown. This has two apertures intended to let water out of the basin; a wastewater outlet and an overflow. However, in times of flooding, both of these can be potential points of entry for floodwater. As shown in FIG. 1, two sealing covers  12 ,  14 , each being an embodiment of the invention have been deployed to protect these two potential risk points.  
         [0045]    The two covers shown in FIG. 1 are largely similar in construction, the principal difference between them being one of size. The cover  14  applied to the wastewater outlet is shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0046]    With reference to FIG. 2, the sealing cover includes a cover portion  20  formed as a hollow frusto-conical moulding of stiff plastic material. At its end of lesser diameter, the cover portion  20  has a closing end wall  22 . It is open at its end of greater diameter. A central aperture is formed through the end wall  22 . A resilient annular seal  24  is provided at the open end of the cover portion  20 .  
         [0047]    The sealing cover further includes securing means to secure it in place on the wastewater outlet. The securing means comprises an elongate bolt  30  that extends axially of the cover portion  20  through the aperture in the end wall  22 . A head  32  of the bolt  30  is shaped as a wingnut to enable it to be without the aid of tools. An annular sealing washer  34  of resilient material is disposed between the bolt heads  32  and the end wall  22 .  
         [0048]    The securing means further includes a locating component  38 , shown in FIG. 3. The locating component  38  includes a nut  40  from which two elongate resilient metal locating legs  42  project. Each locating leg  42  has a hook portion  44  formed at an end portion remote from the nut  40 . The nut  40  of the locating component  38  is carried in threaded engagement with the bolt  30 , such that the locating legs  42  project generally away from the end wall  22  of the cover portion.  
         [0049]    The procedure to deploy the apparatus will now be described.  
         [0050]    The locating component  38  is positioned such that its nut  40  is towards the free end of the bolt  30 . The hook portions  44  of the locating legs  42  are then located on a suitable structure. In this example, the structure chosen is a grid  50  provided to trap objects that are dropped into the wastewater outlet. However, in the case of apparatus applied to the overflow, the periphery of the overflow aperture may be used instead.  
         [0051]    The bolt  30  is then turned to draw the nut  40  towards the end wall  22 . This, in turn, places the bolt  30  under tension and this urges the cover portion  20  towards the wastewater outlet. The seal  24  is compressed between the cover portion  20  and the periphery of the aperture so that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the cover portion  20 , the seal  24  and the periphery of the aperture. The sealing washer  34  is also compressed to form a seal at the end wall  22  of the cover portion  20 . In the case of a wastewater outlet, there is typically a bezel  52  at the periphery of the aperture that provides a surface against which a good seal can be formed.  
         [0052]    An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS.  4  to  6 . In this case, the sealing cover is intended to form a seal to cover an airbrick  60 .  
         [0053]    An airbrick is typically built into a wall to provide a route for ventilating air to pass through the wall. The example shown in FIG. 4 is a simple airbrick with air holes  62  disposed in a regular rectangular array; however, there are many alternative patterns. The airbrick may be formed of ceramic (like a building brick), metal, plastic or other material.  
         [0054]    This sealing cover has a cover portion  64  that has a generally rectangular outline shape. An outer wall  66  of the cover portion  64  is domed to confer the outer wall  66  with strength in compression. The outer wall  66  has a central aperture. A peripheral wall  68  of rectangular outline extends from the outer wall  66 . A resilient sealing element  70  is carried on an end surface of the peripheral wall  68 .  
         [0055]    This embodiment has locating means substantially as described above, although it may be of a larger scale, if appropriate. The bolt  30  of the locating means passes through the central aperture of the outer wall  66 . This is shown most clearly in FIG. 5.  
         [0056]    To deploy this sealing cover, the legs  42  are each inserted through a hole  62  in the airbrick  60 . The bolt head  32  is then turned to rotate the bolt  30  and draw the nut along its length to clamp the cover portion  66  against the airbrick  60 . The sealing element  70  is then compressed between the airbrick  60  and the peripheral wall  68  to form a fluid-tight seal. The sealing washer  34  likewise is compressed to form a seal between the bolt head  32  and the outer wall  66 , the domed shape of the outer wall  66  resisting the compressive force applied to it.  
         [0057]    As will be understood, deployment of the embodiment described above can meet with difficulties if the aperture has no suitable formation upon which the location means can engage. There may, for example, be no transverse element, or the aperture may be too deep for the legs to reach to form an engagement. With reference to FIGS. 7 &amp; 8, additional mounting apparatus is shown that presents a solution to this problem.  
         [0058]    The additional mounting apparatus comprises a transverse metal bar  80 . A respective flat mounting pad  82  is carried at opposite end regions of the transverse bar, the mounting pads  82  being disposed substantially in a common plane. A slot  84  is formed through a central region of the bar  80 .  
         [0059]    The additional mounting apparatus additionally includes a flat longitudinal metal bar  90  that extends through the slot  84 . One end portion of the longitudinal bar  90  is formed as a hook  92 . Several holes  94  are formed through the longitudinal bar  92  spaced along its length.  
         [0060]    To deploy the additional mounting apparatus, the transverse bar  80  is placed across an aperture  96  to be sealed with the pads  82  being placed in contact with an inner surface of a wall  98  in which the aperture is formed, such that the longitudinal bar  90  is inserted into the aperture  96 , with its hook portion  92  within the aperture  96 . A locating pin  100  is then inserted through one of the holes  94  to secure the longitudinal bar  92  against removal from the slot  84 . The pin  100  has a head that cannot pass through the hole and a ring  102  that can be used to grip the pin  100  for removal.  
         [0061]    Once the additional mounting apparatus is installed as discussed above, the sealing cover can then be deployed as shown in FIG. 7. The hook portions  44  of the legs  44  can engage upon the hook portion  92  of the longitudinal bar  90  to secure the sealing cover in place.  
         [0062]    The embodiments are described as being for installation in a building. However, the invention has equal applicability to application in boats (typically in yachts and larger boats) to prevent inundation of water through apertures such as drains or ventilators in the boat. It is likely that the embodiments for use in boats is likely to be very similar to those described above with little modification.  
         [0063]    A property owner or a boat owner may be provided with a flood protection kit that includes several different embodiments, intended to cover a range of apertures in advance of a flood. The kit may also include additional mounting apparatus as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.  
         [0064]    With reference first to FIGS. 9 &amp; 10, apparatus  112  being a first embodiment is shown for preventing inundation of floodwater through a waste outlet of a toilet bowl  110 .  
         [0065]    The apparatus comprises a sealing body  114 . The body  114  is formed of a resilient material such as a high-density polymer. For example, a synthetic rubber material may be used. To enhance the sealing properties of the sealing body, it may be provided with a coating of a sealing material, such as compressible synthetic polymer foam. The sealing body  114  is formed with generally flat upper and lower surfaces, and a tapered peripheral surface. The peripheral surface is shaped to be as close as possible a fit within the waste outlet of a typical toilet bowl to form a fluid-tight seal. One or more voids  116  are formed within the sealing body. Thus, it is not solid, but has internal spaced containing air or other gas. This allows it to compress and distort when a force is applied to it. This enables the sealing body to conform to an opening into which it is urged, thereby ensuring that it can form a seal within a range of toilet bowls of differing sizes and shapes.  
         [0066]    Securing means is carried on the sealing body  114 . The securing means comprises an elongate threaded rod  120  that passes through a bore formed through the sealing body  114 . At an end region of the rod  120 , there is provided a manipulation formation  122  that can be used by a person to turn the rod about a longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, the manipulation formation is shaped generally like a wingnut. The manipulation formation  122  has a flat lower surface that bears against a washer  124  carried on the upper surface of the sealing body  114 . The securing means further includes a bracket  126 . The bracket has a threaded boss  128  that is carried in threaded engagement upon the rod  120 . A hook portion  130  of the bracket  126  extends laterally from the boss  128 . The hook portion  130  is shaped and configured such that it can engage with a downwardly pointing projection at the U-bend of the toilet bowl.  
         [0067]    An elongate bolt  132  extends through a bore in the sealing body  114 . A head  136  of the bolt  132  bears against a washer  134  that is carried on the lower surface of the sealing body  114 . A wingnut  138  is carried on the bolt  132 . Between the wingnut  138  and the upper surface of the sealing body  114  there is a washer  140 .  
         [0068]    To deploy the apparatus in use, the bracket  126  is positioned towards the lower end of the rod  120 . The apparatus is then lowered into the toilet bowl  110 , and manipulated such that the hook portion  130  of the bracket  126  locates upon the projection (which will typically be below the level of water within the bowl). The manipulation formation  122  is then used to turn the rod  120  to draw the bracket along the rod  120 . The hook portion  130  engages with the protection, causing the rod  120  to be pulled downwards. Contact between the manipulation formation  122  and the washer  124  causes the sealing body to be urged downwards into the waste outlet of the toilet bowl, so securing it in place.  
         [0069]    Once the sealing body is secured, the wingnut  138  is rotated to draw it along the bolt  132 . The wingnut  138  makes contact with the washer  140 . Continued rotation of the wingnut  138  causes the sealing body  114  to become compressed between the respective washers  134 ,  140  on its lower and upper surfaces. Being of resilient material, this compression causes the sealing body  114  to bulge laterally, thereby urging its peripheral surface into contact with the material of the toilet bowl, thereby causing a fluid-resistant seal to form at the peripheral surface.  
         [0070]    With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 12, apparatus  112  being a second embodiment is shown. This apparatus comprises a sealing body  150  and a securing portion  152 , the latter being shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0071]    The sealing body  150  is of much the same construction as the corresponding component of the first embodiment, as described above, albeit without any bores being formed through it. In this embodiment, a metal plate  154  is carried on the upper surface of the sealing body  114 .  
         [0072]    The securing portion  152  comprises a first and a second elongate bar metal portion  156 ,  158 . The second bar portion  158  is of hollow section, such that the first bar portion  156  can be inserted within it. The bar portions  156 ,  158  can then be slid with respect to one another to form a bar assembly of variable overall length. Two bolt and wingnut assemblies  160  are provided such that the bar assembly can be clamped at a selected length.  
         [0073]    At an outer end region of each of the bar portions  156 ,  158  is carried a respective locating pad  162 , formed of metal, and having a flat, upward-directed surface. The locating pads  162  are secured to the respective bar portions  156 ,  158  such that they can move pivotally with respect to the bar portions. This might, for example, be achieved by connecting each locating pad to the corresponding bar portion by a ball and socket joint. This allows the upwardly-directed surface of the pads to pivot away from being parallel to the bar portions  156 ,  158 .  
         [0074]    Generally centrally of the bar assembly (of course, this will be approximate as the length of the assembly is changeable) there is carried a location assembly. The location assembly comprises an elongate threaded rod  162  that passes through a central aperture in the bar assembly. A wingnut  164  is carried on the threaded rod below the level of the bar assembly. A pressure body  166  is carried at a lower end portion of the threaded rod  162 . The pressure body  166  has a metal component that is secured to the threaded rod  162 , and a resilient polymer body carried on the metal component for engagement with the metal plate  154  of the sealing body  150 .  
         [0075]    To deploy the apparatus, the sealing body  150  is first located in the waste outlet of a toilet bowl. The length of the bar assembly is then adjusted such that its pads  162  can locate below opposite portions of the rim  168  of the toilet bowl. The wingnut  164  is then rotated to cause it to travel up the threaded rod  162 . The wingnut  164  bears against the bar assembly, urging the bar assembly upwards to locate the locating pads  162  against a lower surface of the rim  168 . The locating pads  162  will pivot such that they locate securely against the lower surface. At the same time, the rod  162  acts as a strut to urge the pressure body  166  against the meal plate  154  of the sealing body  150 , thereby urging the sealing body  150  downwardly into the waste outlet of the toilet bowl. The pressure thereby applied forms a seal between the peripheral surface of the sealing body  150  and the material of the toilet bowl.  
         [0076]    To enhance protection against floodwater gaining entry to a building through a toilet installation, the invention provides apparatus for protecting the overflow that is commonly provided as part of the installation of a toilet cistern.  
         [0077]    A typical arrangement of such an overflow is shown in FIGS. 13 &amp; 14. The overflow includes a pipe  170 , normally of plastic material, that extends from the toilet cistern through an external wall  172  of a building, to open at the building&#39;s exterior. This allows water to run away harmlessly in the event that the cistern is overfilled. The external outlet of the pipe  170  draws attention of a building owner to the leaking water. (Note that a similar overflow can be associated with other cisterns such a feed tank for a hot water cylinder, and this invention can be applied to such an overflow. It is, however, uncommon for these to be situated at a height that floodwater is likely to reach.)  
         [0078]    The apparatus of this embodiment includes a spigot component  174  and a cap  176 , each being moulded of plastic material.  
         [0079]    The spigot component  174  is tubular, and has an internal diameter that is a close sliding fit onto the overflow pipe  170 , so that a first end region of the spigot component  174  can be slid onto the pipe  170 , as shown in FIG. 15. There is advantageously a radial projection  176  within the spigot component that engages with an end surface of the pipe  170  to limit the distance to which the pipe  170  can enter the spigot component  174 . (Note theta the radial projection should not project so far as to interfere with flow within the pipe.) An end region  178  of the spigot component  174 , opposite that into which the pipe  170  is received, is formed with an external thread.  
         [0080]    The cap  176  has a head  182  shaped as a squat cylinder, and a boss  180  that projects axially from the head  182 . The boss  180  is tubular, and formed with an internal thread that can engage with the external thread of the spigot component  174 . A sealing member  184  is located within the boss  180 .  
         [0081]    To deploy the apparatus, the spigot component  174  must first be located upon the overflow pipe  170 , and secured there. This is preferably done by way of adhesive. It is envisaged that the spigot component  174  be secured on the overflow pipe  170  in advance of the need for its use, and left in place permanently. The overflow can then function as normal. If flood conditions are expected, the cap  176  can be screwed into place on the spigot component  174 , its sealing member  184  forming a fluid-tight seal against an end surface of the spigot component  174 . Of course, the cap  176  must be removed once the flood risk passes to restore operation of the overflow.  
         [0082]    The embodiments are described as being for installation in a building. However, the invention has equal applicability to application in boats (typically in yachts and larger boats) to prevent inundation of water through a toilet installation in the boat. It is likely that the embodiments for use in boats is likely to be very similar to those described above with little modification.  
         [0083]    Typically, a flood protection system may comprise a plurality of components each being various embodiments of the invention.

Summary:
Apparatus for sealing an aperture against ingress of floodwater is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a cover portion for covering and forming a seal around an aperture, and location means for engaging with a component associated with the aperture to retain the cover portion in place. For example, the locating means may include a securing element that engages with the fixed component, and screw threaded components to draw the cover portion into place. Embodiments of the invention may be applied to seal an aperture such as an airbrick, a wastewater outlet, an overflow, etc. Further apparatus comprises a sealing portion and a securing portion whereby the apparatus can be disposed for use in a toilet bowl such that the sealing portion is retained in position by the securing portion to substantially seal an outlet of the toilet bowl. Once the risk of flooding has passed, the apparatus can be removed.