Making your property storm-proof is the priority from now on

Storm damage has created no shortage of anxiety among property owners in recent years with storms seemingly more frequent and greater in intensity.

This means that storm damage to property seems inevitable from now on; it’s a situation that needs to be taken into consideration when building, securing and locating properties in the landscape. Storms remain a worrying trend, and certainly over the past five years or so at least one bad storm in the season has left its mark.

Even more worrying is the fact experts predict an increase in unusual weather patterns. It’s not far-fetched to suggest property owners need to react to this in terms of protecting their property, both internally and externally.

Severe gusts lift tiles and slates from roofs, while ancillary buildings such as sheds and conservatories also sustain severe destruction during storms. Falling trees and heavy rains are an additional hazard that homeowners must contend with. With all this in mind it begs the question, should we be doing more to prepare our properties? Even when we think our property has escaped the worst of a storm, chances are the wind may have weakened some part of it structurally, which usually only becomes apparent when it’s too late.

Given the frequency of storm related claims in recent years - and the likely increases in insurance premiums as a result, property owners should start factoring in preparatory works for future weather situations. Reinforcing roofs, windows and porches are some of the ways to feel more secure in the height of a storm.

Likewise, if drainage is an issue on your property, use next spring and summer to remedy the problem. In short, any type of structural improvement you think is necessary should be done immediately as all homeowners are well aware of potential weak spots in their property.

Due to the geographical location of Kerry it invariably means more properties are exposed to coastal flooding and damaging gusts. Climate change is something many people think happens somewhere else, and to someone else. But the inclement weather over the past year tells us otherwise: a hurricane, heavy snow, searing summer temperatures – all of which has been followed by another high intensity storm season.