Tips to secure your home as more bad weather is on the way

HOUSEHOLDERS have been urged to take steps to minimise risks to their properties and businesses from Storm Brian.

Home insurance experts cautioned that although Hurricane Ophelia may have passed, there is still potential for further damage.

Managing director of InsureMyHouse.ie Jonathan Hehir said: “Ophelia certainly made herself known as she hit the country on Monday. Even if you emerged relatively unscathed, you should bear in mind that the bad weather isn’t over.”

Brian McNelis, director of general insurance services at Brokers Ireland, said the south and west were most at risk over the next two days as they were still trying to cope with the aftermath of Ophelia.

He said: “Outdoors we would advise people to be mindful, particularly with the strong winds forecast, of the risks posed by trees and other objects which may already be weakened by the hurricane.”

He said buildings and contents insurance usually covered damage caused by flooding. Damage to cars is also usually covered by comprehensive insurance policies. He advised people to check their home insurance policies to see if losses or flood damage is covered under their policies.

Mr Hehir said that if you are unfortunate enough to suffer any property damage in the wake of a storm, then ensure you contact your insurer immediately to initiate the claims process.

If necessary, arrange for emergency repairs to be carried out. Where possible keep evidence of damaged goods and/or receipt everything that you replace. Photographic evidence is useful. If you need to move out of your home while it is being repaired, then alert your insurance provider of this, Mr Hehir said.

“Insurers have said that it’s too early to make a statement on whether or not Ophelia will have a material impact on premiums

– they need to assess the damage first.

“Regardless of this, however, the fact is that bad weather leads to claims – and more claims can and often do lead to increased premiums,” he added.

Here are some tips for securing your home.

FLOODING

Ensure your external walls and windows are adequately water resistant – there are various products and sealants and varnishes available to do this.

If there are immediate flood warnings for your areas, then it might be worth using sandbags and wrapping to protect your property. If you live in a flood risk area, during more risky periods it might be a good idea to keep personal items as high above ground level as possible.

FREEZING

Make sure that water pipes and water tanks in the attic are insulated with good quality lagging. Know where the stopcock that turns off the water is located and make sure it works.

If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the stopcock, switch off central heating and any other water heating installations and open all taps to drain the system.

Check the exterior walls of your home for holes.

Even small holes where cable wires or phone lines enter your home can be an entry point for freezing air.

Purchase a tube of foam insulation, and close them up. Then, use weather stripping to remedy any cracks around your doors.

Set aside time to clean your gutters out before the freezing temperatures get here.

Full gutters increase your chance of having ice form on your roof.