Extreme weather: Windstorm advice

Extreme weather can cause damage to property, possessions and people. It’s important to know how to keep as safe as possible and reduce the potential damage.

Remember:

• Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences – if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side.
• Felt flat roofs only have a limited life expectancy and they need to be regularly checked.
• It is unlikely that contractors will be able to carry out any repairs until the weather conditions improve and they will only be able to work in daylight.
• If there is considerable damage as a result of extreme weather in any particular region, this may lead to a shortage of building contractors. It therefore may take a little while before an emergency contractor can be provided by insurers, but please be assured that we will do all we can in this challenging circumstance.
• Whilst of course you can carry out any temporary repairs to prevent further damage, don’t put yourself at risk and please make sure you keep any receipts or invoices for work carried out. Please don’t, however, use your own tradesman for full repairs unless you have been advised by your insurer to do so.

Do:

• Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30 degrees.
• Enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you.
• Ensure that any slipped/cracked slates and tiles are fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
• Look out for cracked or loose cement around ridge tiles or chimneys and get them repaired. Replace any brickwork and fill cracks in rendering.

Do not:

• Go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress.
• Walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened.

Helpful Links

• The Met Office
• If you smell gas, call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999 or visit the National Grid Gas website
• If you need to make a claim please find out more here.

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