The UK is currently in the midst of Storm Dudley, with Storm Eunice on its way.
Storm Dudley has caused widespread disruption across the country, with gales as strong at 80mph resulting in power loss and stirring up chaos on roads and railways.
From tomorrow Storm Eunice is expected to bring potential snow and gale force winds in excess of 95mph, causing havoc across the country and putting homes at risk.
Previous UK storms have caused more than £250 million worth of damage to homes, according to Buildworld.
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To help homeowners prepare and protect their homes from the upcoming storm, the experts have shared five tips to help you storm-proof your house.
Secure any possessions outside of the property
Objects such as trampolines and garden furniture often get swept away by strong winds during a storm and have the ability to cause serious damage to buildings and people.
Where possible move objects like these into garages and sheds, or use ropes and heavy objects to weigh them down.
Check your gutters regularly
Gutters are often forgotten about and can soon build up with dirt and other debris.
When heavy rain sets in, the gutters help the water to travel to drains.
But if the gutters are blocked, water can overflow and cause damage to the inside of your property, causing leaks and interior wall damage.
Therefore it is advised to clear them before the storm hits.
Move your vehicle to an open space
Cars and other vehicles often fall victim to adverse weather, especially when strong winds rip down trees.
If your car is usually parked by a tree or another large object, then it’s best to move the vehicle to an open area such as the pavement or a nearby car park.
This will reduce the chances of any potential damage caused by falling objects.
Close gates and external pathways
Strong winds can often cause garden gates to fly open and if they’re made from a more fragile material such as wood, then it’s highly likely damage will be caused.
Make sure all gates are shut and pathways are closed off, as this will help protect not only the gate, but any possessions protected by it.
Protect your roof
During a storm a roof is one of the most common areas of the home to be damaged and one of the most costly to repair.
Ahead of a storm arriving, check the condition of your roof, remove any loose tiles and have any existing damage replaced as soon as possible as this can prevent more severe disruption being caused.
Huz Member, director at Buildworld said: "With the UK facing further disruption as a result of both storm Dudley and Eunice, it’s important we do all we can to protect our homes and minimise the chances of any potential damage being caused.
“In some cases, it’s inevitable that damage will be caused no matter how hard we try to prevent it, but there are a number of steps we can take to put ourselves in the best position possible, such as securing any outdoor possessions, moving your car to a more open space and checking the condition of your roof.
“Storms cost the UK millions of pounds each year in damage and even though home insurance is in place to help take away some of the financial burden, it’s still a worry that plays on the minds of homeowners across the country.
If your property does fall victim to a storm, then it’s important to contact your home insurance provider as they can explain the steps you can take in order to get any repair work carried out in the fastest time possible.
“With several days of strong winds ahead, we wanted to share these useful tips to help homeowners prepare as much as possible for the current storms in the UK, as well as future ones.”
