If there’s one thing which can be said about the British weather, it’s that it can be unpredictable. We never quite know what the elements are going to throw at us, and every year thousands of homeowners are caught out by flooding, high winds or extreme cold which can cause considerable damage to properties. Some of these extreme weather events are unpredictable, and in many cases there is not much you can do to stop your house from being damaged. Often though, there are things which you can do to minimise any storm damage and save yourself a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Keep an Eye on the Forecast
The old saying goes that forewarned is forearmed, and this is definitely the case when it comes to protecting your home against damage from extreme weather. Weather forecasting has come on leaps and bounds in the past decade, and all of the major television channels can predict with a high degree of accuracy the sort of weather which can be expected in the days ahead. The Met Office will issue weather warnings which will warn of high winds, flooding or snow, and these will help you work out if you live in an area which could be affected. There are lots of different ways to access the weather forecasts these days with weather forecasts every half hour on the 24 hour new channels and apps which you can download to your phone, so there really is no excuse for not knowing what’s coming and taking steps to be prepared.
Start by Preparing the Garden
Don’t underestimate the damage which can be caused to your home and possessions by items blowing around in the garden. If a storm is forecast, then spend half an hour tidying the garden of children’s toys, patio furniture, ladders and bikes. Put as much as you can into the garage or a shed, and make sure that larger items such as trampolines are tied down so that they cannot roll around the garden and cause damage to your home or a fence, or even worse, your next door neighbour’s property. It is a good idea to keep your garden tidy and lock away ladders and any garden tools whatever the weather, as these can be used by a burglar to get access to your home.
Think About The Car
Every time there is a storm, the car insurance companies are hit with a wave of claims for slates which have fallen off roofs onto cars, or for cars which have been hit by fallen trees. If bad weather is forecast, think about where you have parked your car. If you park on the street, try to choose a space away from large trees or from other items which could potentially damage your car. Put the car in the garage if you can.
Check the Roof
One of the most common reasons for damage to property is tiles or slates which have blown off in a storm. Tiles can fly off the roof and damage windows, guttering, fascia boards or your car, and a tile or slate which is missing can allow water to get into the roof space and cause considerable damage. It’s not always practical to get up onto the roof and check for any slates or tiles which look loose, or which are missing completely, but it is worth visually inspecting your roof as much as possible, and if you spot any problems get a roofer in to make everything secure before the bad weather hits. In the aftermath of a storm, your first job should be to get outside and have another look at the roof, and then put in a call to the insurance company if you spot any problems. Always report damaged or missing tiles immediately – this problem is not going to get better on its own.
Flood Defences
It’s not just high winds which can damage property. Storms often bring flooding with them, and the damage which can be caused by just a couple of inches of water in your home can cost thousands to put right, and can also mean you have to move out while the house dries. There are some steps you can take to minimise damage from flood water though. First, download the Environment Agency’s Floodline app to your tablet or smartphone and check it regularly. Know where your mains electric switch and gas mains are so that you can turn them off if the worst happens. If you flooding is imminent, move as much as you can off the floor level, preferably upstairs where flood water will not reach. Roll up carpets, and move items which cannot be replaced such as family photographs to a safe location. If you live in a location which is prone to flooding, look into sandbags, stanchions and inflatable flood barriers which you can use to try to keep the worst of the water out of your house.
Winter Weather Damage
Over the past few winters our weather has been wet rather than bitterly cold, and there aren’t many parts of the UK where the weather has been cold enough to freeze pipes. When water freezes inside pipes this can cause them to crack, and when the weather gets warmer and the pipes defrost, water leaks out everywhere. Try to minimise the possibility of pipes freezing by investing in lagging for the pipes. All large DIY stores sell foam jackets which slip over most sizes of pipes to stop them from freezing, or you can buy rolls of insulating material to wrap around pipes too. If the temperature is forecast to dip very low, leave some heating on in the house overnight, and make sure air is circulating around your pipes by removing kick boards under kitchen units and leaving doors open downstairs overnight. If you suspect that a pipe has frozen and burst, turn the water off at the mains and call in a plumber before everything starts to defrost.
