5 Tips to Protect Your Home Against Storms

They have been much of England and Wales recently and it’s likely there’ll be more, making it even more important to protect your home, and your loved ones.

Storms can cause significant damage to buildings with strong winds and heavy rain, lightning strikes and floods.

Here are some tips on how to keep your home safe during severe weather conditions:

Maintain Your Roof

The roof is one of the most common areas to be damaged – and one of the costliest to repair.

A sturdy roof is essential to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. Regularly inspect your roof for any loose or damaged tiles or slates. Replace missing ones promptly and ensure everything is intact. Check any cement to ridges, verges and eaves, and call in an experienced roofer if repairs are needed.

Do remember, If more than 25% of your roof is being replaced, you’ll need to make a  Building Regulations application as this work is controlled and you may need to improve the thermal efficiency of your roof.

Read more about looking after your roof.

Reinforce Doors and Windows

Strong winds can exert immense pressure on doors and windows, causing them to break or even blow out completely in extreme cases.

Check them thoroughly and invest in high quality materials. Draught stripping can help cut down on unwanted air ingress and reduce your heating bills.

Read more about doors and windows

Clear Gutters and Drains:

In the summer, gutters often go forgotten and dirt and other debris can build up.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your gutters, downpipes, and storm drain gulleys are clear of debris. Blocked gutters can cause water to accumulate, leading to water damage from leaks in your house.

Secure Outdoor Items

Do you have a garden?

Securely store or anchor outdoor furniture, barbecues, plant pots, and other loose objects that could become projectiles in strong winds. Trampolines are regularly seen causing chaos in nearby gardens and on roads or railway lines.

If you have a garage or any other storage space, you may want to place some items in there until storms pass and stop them from becoming a hazard.

Think About the Risk of Flooding

5.2 million properties are at risk of flooding in England. Flooding can be caused by surface water run-off from gardens, fields, and roads as well as from the sea in coastal areas or from rivers and streams.

Sign up to receive flood warnings and if you are in a flood-prone area have a personal flood plan so you and your family know what to do if your home is at risk.

Think about the flood resilience of your home and consider fitting flood gates, boards, and non-return valves to your drains and air brick covers. 

Always pay attention to weather forecasts and keep up to date on any alerts or warnings issued for your area.

Taking these precautions to protect your house against bad weather and storms can save you from significant damage and distress. Remember, it's always better to be prepared and take preventive measures to safeguard your home.