The Great British weather is not something that many people are particularly fond of, and so far, 2024 has had its fair share of storms. Whether it’s blowing a gale, or raining cats and dogs outside, this adverse weather increases the risk of damage to your property. However, there are some easy steps you can take to safeguard your home once the skies open and the weather hits, so, follow our preventative tips and come hail or high water you can keep yourself, your loved ones and your home safe.
Be Aware of when a storm is coming
We love to talk about the weather in this country, so keep your eyes and ears open to stay aware of when a storm or bad weather may be brewing. Severe weather warnings will generally be publicised through the media, the Met Office has a dedicated X account, and you can also use Land Registry’s free flood warnings system to alert you to any floods that may be hitting your area.
Get your property prepared
Keeping on top of basic home maintenance is the first step in being proactive and protecting your home against issues that could cause problems once the weather worsens.
Roof
Look for missing, loose of cracked tiles, crumbling pointing or any other signs of damage. If you have a chimney check that all the bricks and mortar are in good condition, and it may be a good idea to look in the loft for any signs of a leak. Also make sure that your TV aerial and satellite dish are firmly secured.
Fence
Fence panels are often the first casualty of any storm so make sure they are all stable, aren’t leaning, and in good condition, along with any gates you may have.
Branches
Prune any overhanging, loose, or dead branches, particularly if they are close to any windows, conservatories, or powerlines. If your neighbour’s tree has branches hanging into your property you have the right to cut them back to the borderline (it’s always best to mention it to them first though).
Gutters
Keep them cleaned and free from debris to prevent overflow and potential damage to the plasterwork during periods of heavy rain. Also make sure they are securely fixed in place and aren’t sagging.
When a Storm’s Approaching
When you know a storm is on the horizon, there are a few easy tasks you can to do minimise the impact of any damage.
Secure the garden
Store in a garage, shed or indoors any items that could be blown about due to strong winds to stop any potential destruction. This includes seating, ladders, toys, bikes, flowerpots, washing lines, tools, bins etc, which all have the potential to wreak havoc. If you have no way of storing them indoors, then implement the use of locks, ropes or bungee cords to tether the items and reduce their movement as much as possible.
If you have a garage, it may be a good idea to store your car in here to protect it from any falling debris.
Beat the cold
Whilst it’s not always present during a storm, but always worth bearing in mind that Ice can be another danger to your home over the winter months, as freezing pipes can lead to internal water damage. Leaving your heating on a timer for just one hour a day is usually enough to prevent your pipes freezing.
Pets
The loud noises, flashes of light and strong winds can scare pets, maybe leaving them to panic and get in trouble. Bring small animals that usually live outside indoors if you’re able to, and provide them with carboard boxes or tunnels to hide in. If you can bring your cat in then do so, but if not make sure their micro-chip details are up to date. If you know its going to be an especially violent storm, then close all your windows and curtains before the storm breaks to protect your pet as much as possible for any anxiety-inducing noises and sights and try not to leave them alone. It may help to put some music or the TV on to drown out the sounds of the storm.
Prepare an emergency kit
Just in case your forced to leave your home, have some warm clothes packed, along with any essential medication, mobile phone charges/power bank, a torch, and batteries, along with a small supply of food and water and any other necessary items.
It may also be a good idea to pack any important family documents sealed in a waterproof wallet, along with insurance information.
Flooding
If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, have some sandbags in place on your doors, windows and any other gaps were the water could get in. Move any electrical and sentimental items upstairs out of harms way, disconnect kitchen appliances, and turn off your gas, water and electricity at the mains.
Electrics
When lightening hits, it can cause a power surge in your home and any plugged-in devices could be damaged. Either unplug your electrical devices, invest in surge-proof plugs/extension-leads, or a surge-protection device can be fitted to your consumer unit if you want to be extra safe.
During the Storm
Once the storm hits, head indoors, and hunker down, as inside your home is the safest place to be. But, if you’re caught unawares then seek shelter at the earliest opportunity, and avoiding walking too close to trees to get there if possible.
If you hear anything break during the storm, as tempting as it may be to try and repair it, leave it until the storm has passed. If you see anything that needs immediate action, then call the emergency services.
After the Storm
If your home, or any of your possessions, have been damaged then contact your insurer as soon as possible. List any damage, along with photos and/or videos, and remember not to throw anything away in case it’s needed in the claims process.
A dehumidifier can help to speed up the drying process, but make sure you don’t use any water-damaged electrical appliances until they have been tested by a qualified electrician for their safety. You can use plastic sheets to temporarily patch up any damaged parts of your home.
