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Storm damage: how to protect your home from a thunderstorm
Covering everything from pets to property, our guide has tips on how to keep safe when a storm is forecast by the Met Office
When bad weather and storms batter the UK, keeping yourself, your loved ones and your home safe will be at the forefront of your mind.
We've spoken to experts from Which? Trusted Traders to find out what essential maintenance you can carry out to stay safe.
How to prepare your home for a storm
Roof
Take a look from ground level for potential problems like missing or loose tiles that could dislodge in high winds as well as exposed underlay, a dodgy chimney stack or cracked asphalt on a flat roof.
Which? Trusted Trader roofer Ryan Harry of Harrow Roofing and Building says: 'If you see an issue or can't get a proper view, get a qualified professional to check it and get a free quotation for any work that needs doing.'
A drone inspection with high-res cameras and thermal-imaging equipment can provide you with a comprehensive survey without the need for scaffolding or ladders.
If you're looking for tips on finding a good roofer, Which? Trusted Traders is partnered with The Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC), which vets and checks all of its members thoroughly.
Gutters
These can easily become filled with moss, leaves and other debris, leading to leaks inside your property and putting strain on gutter brackets.
Clean them out before a storm, but rather than risk a fall from a ladder (especially if the gutters are on upper storeys), get an expert in.
Gutter cleaning typically costs £45-£75, according to our Which? survey of roofing costs.
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Windows
Look for gaps and cracks around your windows before stormy weather starts, make sure the lock mechanisms work to avoid windows blowing open, and check for cracked glass as this could go on to break entirely if wind speeds are high.
There are some basic window repair jobs you may be able to carry out yourself such as using caulk or rubber-foam insulation to fix gaps or cracks.
If you end up needing to replace your double-glazed windows or doors, see the best type of double glazing for your home
Electrics
Water can get into outside electrical components, such as an open hot tub plug or an outside light, but it can also affect electrics inside - a power surge from lightning can damage electrical devices such as computers and TVs.
A CE mark surge protection extension lead from a reputable manufacturer may help (check it can be used with your appliance) but ideally your home should have a surge-protection device (SPD) fitted to the consumer unit, which is the modern version of a fuse board.
Qualified electrician and Trusted Trader Benjamin Gilbert of Ealing Electricians says: 'An electrician can see if your existing consumer unit has the space to retrofit an SPD, or if you're likely to need your system upgraded at some point. So get a qualified electrician round, ideally before the bad weather starts, to assess what's needed.'
If you're a Which? member with full access or digital membership and you need to replace electrical appliances, you can Ask Which? for 1-to-1 product buying advice on a range of items including televisions, washing machines, tumble dryers and fridges
Pets
The loud noises, flashes of light and strong winds of a storm can terrify pets. Here's what veterinary charity PDSA advises.
Close all windows and curtains. Do this before the storm begins to mask unsettling sights and sounds from outside. Put on music or the TV in the room your pet is in and try not to leave them alone - your presence will help to ameliorate their anxiety.
Create a 'safe space' for them. Containment in their crate (with the door open) or a comfy 'doggy den' with blankets should help to lower your dog's anxiety, while cats may feel the need to retreat to a high-up hideaway to ride out the storm.
Update microchip details. Even the most confident, streetwise cat may panic during a storm and get lost, and a dog might run off if spooked by a sudden loud noise, so keep their microchip details up to date and put ID tags on collars.
Bring small pets inside. If your rabbit or guinea pig lives in an outside hutch, temporarily move them into a well-ventilated outbuilding or bring them inside, giving them extra bedding for warmth and cardboard boxes or tunnels to hide in.
Make sure your pets are prepared for every eventuality with our guide on how to find cheap pet insurance
How to make an emergency storm survival kit
It may be that a storm passes without event for your household but just in case, prepare an emergency kit in a lidded waterproof container, including:
- Essential medication, plus a first aid kit
- Torch and spare batteries (or wind-up torch)
- Battery-operated radio plus spare batteries (or wind-up radio)
- Mobile phone charger and fully charged portable power bank – see our tips on how to improve your phone's battery life
- Simple mobile phone that you keep for power cut emergencies, given that the batteries will easily last a week. See our pick of Great Value simple mobile phones
- Spare glasses and contact lenses
- Supply of bottled water and ready-to-eat, non-perishable food
- Important family documents such as insurance policies and birth certificates, stored in a waterproof bag or wallet
- Childcare supplies (including formula milk) or other special care items
- Pet supplies such as dog food, cat food and cat litter.
If your broadband is down, it’s important to have a plan B – and wi-fi could be your answer. Find out how to set up a wi-fi hotspot on your smartphone
How to prepare your garden for a storm
Fencing
Their large surface area means they catch high winds and can be prone to breaking, collapsing or being uprooted and blown away so check for any wobbling or leaning, loose or broken panels or posts that wiggle and could break free in a storm.
Your fence may run along a border with your neighbours, so talk to them before you or a tradesperson carries out any repairs, to minimise the risk of disputes brewing.
Garden furniture and play equipment
Normally innocent items like garden furniture, trampolines, bikes and rotary washing lines suddenly have the potential to wreak havoc if they're lifted up by high winds and blown around.
Store in a shed, outbuilding or garage and if this isn't possible, lie them flat and weighed down with something heavy, such as sandbags.
Trees
Trim back branches that overhang part of your (or your neighbour's) home to reduce the chances of them snapping off and causing damage to conservatories, greenhouses and fences.
A qualified tree surgeon can assess your tree to identify any weak spots, pruning tree limbs and branches and even putting in braces to reinforce the base of a weakened tree.
If you need help with specialist gardening jobs, find out about how to get help in the garden, including how to contact a tree surgeon
Garage
Secure garage doors so they don't potentially break in high winds. If you have a car, put it in the garage to protect it from falling debris or trees.
Fix your gate so high winds don't take it off its hinges - a drop rod at the bottom can help to stabilise it. Cable ties may help, too, if you've run out of time for more permanent repairs.
Make more of your garden - get our free Gardening newsletter for top tips from our experts
Rubbish, recycling and compost bins
Secure bins in a bin store if you have one, otherwise use a wheelie bin lock to fasten to a wall or post, tether bins to each other with rope or bungee cords and place bricks or rocks next to the outside of the base to reduce movement.
Food recycling caddies should be sheltered against a wall with the handle locked to prevent them emptying and flying around, and bricks put on top of compost bins to stop them dislodging, especially if they don't have much in them.
Best and worst compost bins - check the results of our expert tests to see which one to buy.
What should you do once the storm starts?
- Head inside and stay there. If going out can't be avoided, keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences because this is the side they collapse on plus don't walk or shelter close to trees (especially tall or isolated ones) - RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) says it's estimated one in four people struck by lightning are sheltering under trees.
- Don't go outside to repair damage. You may end up being injured by debris flying about or branches falling so leave it until the storm has passed or call in the experts if immediate attention is needed - call the National Grid emergency number 0800 40 40 90 for fallen power lines, or for power cuts call 105 if you're in England, Wales or Scotland to connect with your local electricity network operator.
- Avoid leisure activities outside. They could leave you exposed to the elements or may involve equipment that could conduct lightning so leave golf, climbing or camping until there's better weather. RoSPA says being near water increases the risk of being struck by lightning, so fishing, boating, swimming or even walking near water should be avoided too.
- Don't use water-damaged electrical items. Have a PET (portable appliance test) carried out before use because even if a water-damaged appliance seems fine to the naked eye, using it could cause further damage or even give you a shock. Find a Which? Trusted Traders electrician near you to carry out safety checks.
- Turn on the dehumidifier. It won't solve serious flood damage but it can help to remove excess moisture from the air to speed up the process of drying out your home. Find out more in our guide on how to dry your home out after a leak or flood.
Best dehumidifiers 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice - We've tested dehumidifiers to help you find the best one for you
Does home insurance cover storm damage?
It's not a straightforward answer so contact your insurer as soon as possible if you need to claim on your home insurance after a storm - most have 24-hour helplines, plus you can check your policy to see if you're covered for:
Frozen food spoiling if electricity goes off. Some home contents policies may cover loss of food stored in your freezer due to failure in the power supply.
Disruption to your travel plans. Cancelled or delayed flights or even having to cancel your holiday because of bad weather may be covered by your travel insurance.
The need for temporary accommodation. Buildings and contents policies usually cover the cost of this while repairs are made if the damage has made your home uninhabitable.
Damage to vehicles. Comprehensive motor insurance covers vehicle damage, but third party fire and theft doesn't. If damage to your vehicle is caused by someone else or their property (such as a falling tree) you may be able to claim against them if you can show they were legally liable.
Injury or damage to others. The ABI says your buildings policy will usually cover your legal liability in such instances, although there may be a limit so check your policy. Anyone wishing to claim against you would have to show that your negligence led to the damage, such as not repairing a roof you knew was in a dangerous condition.
Keep a record of any damage by writing down details, taking photos and recording video footage, all of which may help to support any claim you make.
Best home insurance 2024 - We surveyed nearly 1,700 home insurance customers and 33 companies to discover the best home insurance companies and policies in the UK
