
How to Protect Your Property From the Harsh Winter Weather
It’s that time of year in the UK when we face bitterly cold temperatures, torrential rainfall and blustery strong winds. As we begin to wrap up and bed down for the frosty season, it’s essential to make sure your property is fit to withstand the harsh winter weather.
For homes and buildings, it can be an unforgiving time of the year. However, by taking a few proactive measures now, you can reduce the risk of your property suffering damage from these harsh conditions.
The four main weather hazards to keep in mind are:
- Frost
- Wind
- Rainfall
- Fire
Protect your home against frost
Frozen water pipes are a prevalent cause of water damage in both domestic and commercial properties. Data provided by the Association or British Insurers shows that insurers pay out a staggering £1.8 million for domestic Escape of Water Damage claims every single day.
When temperatures drop below freezing, any residual water that remains in exposed pipes will often freeze. As the water turns to ice, it expands, generating excessive pressure in the pipe that can lead to cracks or fractures.
Once the ice eventually thaws, water escapes through the ruptured section of the pipe, often resulting in substantial and costly water damage.
To reduce the risk of frost damage, ensure any exposed pipes in outdoor or unheated areas such as the loft or cellar are lagged with pipe insulation. If you plan to be away when cold weather is forecasted and you have the means to, we advise to keep your heating on low and turn your water off at the mains.
Amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, an estimated 1.7 million households are expected to forgo heating this winter to avoid the rising costs of energy bills. In light of this, proper maintenance and drainage of stagnant water are even more crucial to prevent burst pipes and the additional financial strain they can cause.
We go into further detail in on preparing your home for burst pipes in our article ‘Reduce The Risk Of A Burst Water Pipe – Prepare Your Pipes For Winter’. For those of you planning a trip away, we’d recommend reading ‘How To Reduce The Risk Of Fire And Flood While You Are Away’.
Protect your home against high winds
An often overlooked danger of strong winds is the potential for loose fixtures in your property or garden to cause damage or pose a safety hazard.
Start by visually inspecting tiled roofs to ensure all tiles are secure. Repair any unstable fencing and trim back creepers or vines that could pull fences down during high winds.
If your property is home to large trees, check for vulnerable branches and ensure the trees’ foundations are stable to reduce the risk of them toppling over. For older properties with delicate glass, keep windows securely closed to prevent strong gusts from whipping them open and damaging the panes.
During periods of high winds, it’s advisable to stay indoors whenever possible. If you need to go out, whether on foot or by vehicle, remain extra cautious and vigilant.
For more safety advice regarding storms and high winds, read our article ‘Storm Warning in Effect – Prepare for Floods‘.
Protect your home from high rainfall levels
Understanding the level of threat floods pose to your property in advance is crucial to ensuring you are adequately prepared for potential consequences. Our article, ‘How to Check If Your Property Is at Risk of Flooding,’ offers a detailed set of resources to help you assess your flood risk based on your location in the UK.
If your property is at high risk, we strongly recommend signing up for real-time government flood alerts, which can be sent directly to your mobile device.
In the event of extensive rainfall, take precautions by moving valuables upstairs, using sandbags to prevent water from seeping through walls or under doors and raising furniture off the floor with blocks or pallets. For commercial properties or those located on floodplains, consider implementing permanent flood prevention measures, such as flood gates.
Regular gutter maintenance is essential, especially in autumn when fallen leaves can accumulate. Clearing your gutters ensures that water is safely channelled away from your property.
This not only reduces the risk of water damage but also prevents gutters from becoming detached due to the weight of waterlogged debris.
For more tips on how to protect your home from flood damage, visit our Be Flood Ready Hub.
Protecting your home from fire
When it’s cold outside, naturally our many of us fortunate enough will decide snuggle up in front of a cosy, roaring fire or whack our portable heaters on. However, this can bring its own set of health risks.
If you have a gas fire, get it inspected regularly to ensure there is no risk of leaking. It is also extremely important to use a carbon monoxide alarm and ensure this is also routinely checked.
If it’s a real fire, enlist the services of a chimney sweep to clean the chimney at least once a year to remove any debris that could overheat and start a fire. If you leave your fire unattended for any length of time, make sure you have a fire guard around the fire to protect your home from rogue sparks.
Portable heaters, alongside other heat generating white goods can overheat, malfunction or cause materials in close proximity to catch fire. Ensure household items, pets and children maintain a safe distance away from the heater at all times and always turn it off if you leave the room.
Candles are a popular choice during winter and the festive season, adding warmth and ambiance to your home or property. However, always remain vigilant and never leave a burning candle unattended or out of sight.
For more information regarding how to protect your property from a fire, be sure to check out our hub ‘Be Fire Ready’.
Winter Weather Property Protection Checklist
For your convenience, we’ve compiled a short checklist to help you tick off your preparations.
Frost Protection
- Insulate exposed pipes in outdoor or unheated areas (e.g., lofts, basements).
- Keep heating on low if leaving your property during freezing conditions.
- Turn off the water supply at the mains if you’ll be away during cold weather.
- Drain stagnant water from outdoor pipes, taps and hoses.
Wind Protection
- Inspect tiled roofs and secure any loose or damaged tiles.
- Repair unstable fencing and remove vines or creepers that could cause strain.
- Trim branches on large trees to prevent them from breaking or falling.
- Ensure windows, especially in older properties, are securely closed.
Rainfall and Flood Protection
- Check your property’s flood risk using online resources.
- Sign up for flood alerts if you’re in a high-risk area.
- Move valuables upstairs if heavy rain is expected.
- Use sandbags to block water entry points under doors and walls.
- Raise furniture on blocks or pallets to prevent water damage.
- Clear gutters and drains of leaves and debris to allow proper water flow.
- Consider permanent flood prevention measures like flood gates for high-risk properties.
Fire Safety
- Inspect gas fires regularly and use a carbon monoxide alarm.
- Have chimneys cleaned annually to prevent overheating debris.
- Use a fire guard when leaving a real fire unattended.
- Keep portable heaters away from flammable materials, children, and pets.
- Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room.
- Never leave burning candles unattended or out of sight.
The Rise of Harsh Winter Weather in Britain
Extreme weather is only set to increase as climate change disrupts the harmony of our environment. For a more in depth overview on our environmental challenges and the impacts on our planet, we’d recommend reading ‘A Global Crisis – The Human Causes of Flooding’ and ‘Climate Change and the Increasing Impacts of Extreme Weather in Britain’.
Protecting the planet is one of our core values and we endeavour to incorporate sustainable practices into every facet of our operations. You can read more about our Sustainability Initiative to #RestoreThePlanet in our Sustainability Hub.
Following the steps above will give your property the best chance of withstanding harsh winter weather, providing peace of mind and helping you avoid unexpected expenses.
However, if you’ve experienced property damage from the winter weather, we’re here to help. Our teams of highly skilled professionals specialise in comprehensive property restoration, no matter the challenge or circumstances.
Whether it’s flood, storm or fire damage, your peace of mind is our priority. Our national helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year, so please do not hesitate to contact us on 01623 422488.