21 ways to storm-proof your home

Strong winds and heavy rain are lashing the country, with disastrous flooding in Cumbria. Here are 21 ways to safeguard your home.

It's often said that 'prevention is better than cure' and that 'a stitch in time saves nine'. Based on these sayings, the best time to take steps to shelter your home is on a quiet weekend, rather than in the midst of a howling storm!

Storms lash the UK

Of course, this advice comes too late for residents of Cumbria, following Thursday's freak rainfall. More than a foot (30.5cm) of rain in 24 hours caused devastating flooding, leading to four bridges collapsing and causing the tragic death of a policeman.

With more severe weather sure to arrive, now would be a good time for homeowners (and tenants) to give their home a quick once-over before things turn nasty. Here are four areas to get ready for wintry weather:

Paperwork

1.    Protect your policy documents

Find the latest documents for your buildings insurance and contents insurance (you do have home insurance, don't you?) and store policy details and contact information in a waterproof plastic bag.

2.    Know your cover

Buildings insurance covers what would remain if you turned your home upside down and shook out the contents. What falls out is covered by your contents insurance. If you've recently extended your home (such as adding a conservatory), then check that these additions are covered.

You should have cover against storm, flood, water escaping from frozen pipes, plus damage caused by falling trees or dislodged television aerials. Also, check that your limit for valuables is sufficiently high to cover high-priced items. Find out more.

3.    Call to claim

In an emergency, call your insurer's claims helpline straight away. During stormy weather, claim levels rocket, so most claims will be processed over the telephone with no claim form to complete.

Inside the home

4.    Find your stop cock

A stop cock is used to turn off the water supply to the house. It is normally found under the kitchen sink, under the stairs or in a cloakroom or downstairs bathroom. In the event of flooding or a leak within your home, speedily cut off the water supply at the stop cock.

5.    Know your energy cut-offs

Find out where the cut-offs are for your gas and electricity mains supply, and know how to switch them off. Look for these at the gas meter and electricity fuse box. Keep spare fuses up high, safe from flooding. Also, replace any cracked or damaged plugs and sockets.

6.    Test your alarms

If you have one, have your burglar alarm serviced. Also, test all smoke alarms (there should be one on each floor) and replace batteries where required.

7.    Check your boiler and hot water

Have your central-heating boiler serviced by a qualified engineer on the Gas Safe Register (which took over from CORGI on 1 April 2009). If you have a hot-water tank in your roof, then look by the tank or in your airing cupboard for the shut-off valves. Make sure that pipes and tank are properly insulated in order to prevent freezing, plus repair any dripping taps.

8.    Fire up your heating

If you haven't done so yet, then check that your central heating is in good working order. If working chimneys haven't been cleaned this year, then get them swept. Also, make sure that you have at least ten inches (25cm) of loft insulation to keep out the cold. If you go away for a while, then leave the heating on at a low level in order to avoid freezing damage.

9.    Secure doors and windows

Check that all external door locks are working, including those on French windows and patio doors. Ideally, fit mortice locks with the BS 3621 kite-mark to main and rear doors. To improve security, fit window locks with removable keys -- and use them.

Make sure that all windows and frames are firmly fixed, and that there are no cracks or gaps for rain to seep in. Do the same for garages, greenhouses and sheds.

10. Secure your valuables

When faced with a real threat of flooding, move furniture, personal possessions and valuables to safety -- upstairs, if possible. Before water laps at your step, block air bricks and doorways using sandbags or floorboards.

11. Assemble an emergency kit

If disaster strikes, then put together an emergency kit which includes the following items:

• candles and matches;
• duct tape (for sealing damaged areas);
• first-aid kit, including plasters;
• food and drink in waterproof containers;
• lubricating oil;
• medication for all family members;
• radiator key;
• screwdriver;
• spare fuses;
• teabags and coffee; and
• torch and batteries (or wind-up torch);
• warm clothing.

Outside the home

12. Repair your roof

Get a roofer to repair or replace cracked, slipped or loose roof tiles and slates before they get blown off in a storm. (Last weekend, one barely missed my wife's car!)

13. Clear gutters, drainpipes and air bricks

To avoid water spilling into your wall spaces, remove leaf litter and other debris from gutters and clear any blocked drainpipes. Remove debris from air bricks. In addition, turn off outside taps from inside the house and drain external pipes to avoid bursting.

14. Check outside security

Make sure that all external lighting, alarms and light sensors are operating properly.

15. Inspect your walls

Look out for new or widening cracks caused by subsidence, possible from nearby trees. Also, clear soil, leaf litter and debris from damp-proof courses.

Your garden and outbuildings

16. Mend fences and gates

Most household insurance policies don't cover fences and gates damaged by storms or strong winds, so make sure that these are stable and secure.

17. Trim trees and hedges

Remove rotten or dead branches and trim overgrown foliage from hedges and trees. Prune overhanging branches near windows.

18. Protect your paths

To keep driveways and paths clear, put down a good amount of grit or salt.

19. Lock away garden objects

To prevent storm damage, firmly secure or lock away all barbecues, bicycles, garden furniture, planters, pots, tools and toys. Most insurance policies do not cover storm damage to such items.

20. Secure your outbuildings

Secure garage doors, shed doors and garden gates with good-quality locks, especially if you keep any outdoor valuables in outbuildings.

Seek advice

21. Free help from lovemoney.com

If you need a bit more help storm-proofing your home, you've come to the right place. There's a very knowledgeable community here at lovemoney.com so why not go over to Q&A and ask other lovemoney.com members for specific advice about the best way to protect your home?

Here's wishing you a storm-free winter!

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