We’re used to our fair share of miserable weather here in the UK, but over the last few months we’ve been inundated with some particularly wild and windy conditions.
The storms have been blowing in fast and in quick succession, and while it may be inspiring you to stay indoors and safe from the wrath of mother nature, there may be some precautions you can take to ensure your home doesn’t get swept away in the floods and gales.
What counts as a storm?
Although many of us consider it to be stormy when the weather gets particularly rainy with thunder and lightning, to qualify as a storm for insurance purposes the weather needs to meet one of the following criteria:
- Wind gusting at 48 knots (55mph) and above
- Heavy rainfall with a rate of at least 25mm per hour
- Snow falling to a depth of at least one foot (30cm) in 24 hours
- Hail which can break glass or cause damage to hard surfaces
How can you help prevent storm damage?
The cost of storm damage to homes and businesses in the UK amounts to over £300 million on average each year. So, make sure you’re mitigating the risk of storm damage to your home with these simple precautionary measures:
1. Check your roof for any signs of damage or aging
You only have to read the latest post-storm headlines to hear how the extreme weather has the potential to pull the roof off of your house. Although you can’t necessarily protect against the destruction of a tornado, checking for cracks, misaligned and damaged tiles, or any obvious deterioration to your roof can help limit further damage.
If you’re in doubt or don’t have the means to check your roof yourself, it’s worth seeking the advice of a specialist, as damage to your roof can allow for subsequent issues such as water damage. Read more on our advice page here.
2. Check the trees on your property line
Trees are a huge cause for property damage in the UK. Not only do they have the potential to cause extreme damage when falling on your house or car, but loose or overhanging branches can also cause issues, particularly if close to windows or powerlines. Therefore, it is important to regularly inspect and cut back any branches that could be considered a concern. This is easy to arrange yourself, however, if you have any worries about any trees close to your property on public land, you may need to contact the local council. If you want advice on the condition of any trees on your property, consider enlisting the advice of a tree specialist.
3. Keep your gutters and drains clear
In the UK our storms are by and large accompanied by heavy rain. It is essential to keep your gutters clear to prevent against substantial storm damage. Clogged gutters or drains can lead to overflowing water or slow drainage, creating subsequent problems such as damp, flooding, and structural damage.
For more information on guttering and drainage take a look at our advice page here.
4. Secure your fence and loose items
Safeguard your property against storm damage by ensuring all fixtures around your property such as fences and sheds are in good condition and securely fixed to their foundations. These fixtures are often not covered by insurance and any loose fence panelling or structure can be pulled up by the wind, leading to potential damage to your property.
Similarly, when given advance warning of incoming storms or severe wind, you should take care to secure down or put away and furniture or garden items that could get swept up in the wind to mitigate against damage.
5. Prepare for heavy rain
If you live in a particularly flood prone area, whether this is because you reside in a low-lying area or are close to a large body of water, you may be at greater risk of water damage. With heavy rain it is easier for the ground to become over-saturated and the water influx to put strain on the local drainage. Therefor to help reduce the chance of pooling water at your property, consider additional measures such as sand bags near your entry points or rain barrels and diverters to collect rainwater and reduce the amount of water flowing through your gutters.
If you’re not sure whether or not your property is in a flood risk area, you can check in the links below:
England: https://www.gov.uk/check-long-term-flood-risk
Scotland: https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/water/flooding/flood-maps/
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/check-risk-flooding-your-area
Despite these precautionary steps, storms can be unpredictable, and damage can be unavoidable. In the event of a storm, be sensible, stay inside, and if you do hear or see signs of damage happening, stay safe and wait to fully assess any damage once the storm has passed. If your home or belongings have been damaged, contact your insurer as soon as possible afterwards.