Trade body advice to keep homes protected from storm damage

With a wave of storms hitting the UK this winter, a national trade body is urging householders to protect their homes from wind and driving rain.

The Property Care Association has drawn up some tips to stop the wind and water taking hold in properties.

James Berry, deputy chief executive of the PCA, said: “One of the most common problems we encounter in storms is the damage caused from water entering properties.

“Storms can create new entry points for water to get into homes and even a small amount in the wrong place can create problems over the long term.”

Five tips from the PCA to protect homes from storm damage include;

1. Roofs – The wind can cause roof tiles to slip or dislodge and this provides an easy route for water to enter into a property. If left, the water can then continue to enter until the situation is resolved, which could cause timber decay and wet rot. The problem can be particularly damaging if there is no secondary underfelt.

2. Grids and gutters – The wind can whip up leaves and debris into grids and gutters. It’s important that water drains away from a building quickly, particularly during heavy downpours, so check and clear away any build-up. Gutters and downpipes should also be secure, as wind can also cause further damage, or potentially cause them to come away from the building, if they are loose.

3. Wall ties – Used to ensure the stability of a property’s internal and external walls, wall ties have an important role in keeping a home structurally sound. If   they have corroded and failed, but the issue has remained undetected, a strong wind could finally cause the wall to collapse.

4. Chimney flashings – If not properly sealed, the wind and driving rain can enter a building at the point where lead flashings meet the joint of a chimney stack. The water can then stream into a building, damaging wallpaper and other coatings.

5. Pointing and rendering – Gaps in damaged, loose or eroded pointing and rendering can provide a route for water to enter a building, particularly in driving rain. Particular attention should be paid to the weather-prevailing side of a property.

More details about the Property Care Association and the work of its members can be found at www.property-care.org/