What Can Be Damaged In A Storm And How Expensive Is It To Fix?
Most residents in the UK are lucky that we don’t really have any major storms. In some parts of the world, you have to worry about hurricanes, blizzards, tornados, and all manner of weather that can uproot your home entirely. However, when it rains in the UK it really rains.
While the average storm may not completely destroy your home like it does in some areas it can cause some damage. Unfortunately, any damage to your home will cost you some money to fix, so it is worth knowing how much you can expect to pay during a particularly bad storm.
Gutters
The guttering in your home is supposed to protect your home from heavy rain by carrying excess water away from the important bits. Sadly, these plastic fixtures are completely exposed to the elements which makes them a prime target for storm damage.
Powerful winds during a storm can loosen the fasteners that attach the gutters to your home, leading to damage or complete detachment. Rain isn’t the only thing that can land in a storm in the UK. Hailstones, particularly the large ones, can dent or even puncture gutters, causing them to lose their shape and functionality. All in all, this is one part of your house that you will not want to be without next time it rains. A fix to your guttering can cost anywhere between £100 and £200 depending on the severity of the damage. However, installing new gutters is far more expensive, and can cost you up to £1000 to get the job done correctly.
Internet
In an era when the internet is so crucial to daily life, you will definitely notice if the internet goes down during a large storm. Severe weather conditions can damage the physical infrastructure that carries your internet signal. For example, strong winds can knock down power lines, lightning can strike transmission towers, and heavy rain or flooding can damage underground cables. Any of these events could disrupt your internet service.
Toppled power lines are obviously not your problem to fix, but any cables in your property may need replacing. The average cost of fixing one of these cables is around £150 in the UK.
Roofing
The only thing between you and the elements is your roof. This surface goes through a lot, but it is put under immense strain during a large storm. The damage done to your roof during one of these storms can range from a slipped tile to a leak. Any more than this and you are looking at some serious repair costs.
High-speed winds can physically tear off shingles or tiles, especially if they were already loose or deteriorating. In very intense storms, wind can even tear off whole sections of the roof. Prolonged or heavy rainfall can exploit any weaknesses in the roof, like missing shingles or inadequate flashing, and cause leaks. This can lead to water damage in the home’s interior, which can compromise the structural integrity of the building over time. The cost of your roof will differ depending on the type of roof you have. You may also find it cheaper if you use local roofers, like the ones you can find at MyBuilder.
Garden
Although the interior of your home is extremely important, it can be equally devastating to see parts of your garden damaged during extreme weather. Your wooden decking is normally at a high risk of getting damaged. The wood this stuff is made from cannot normally sustain being pelted by lashings of rain for too long and it may rot away. However, your plants are also at risk during some strong storms.
It may have been a while since you last went outside and tended to your garden if you are experiencing heavy storms, but it is still sad when you have to remove your dead plants. It may only take the loss of a few branches or be drowned in the rain to kill your plants for good. Fortunately, plant life isn’t too expensive to replace, Although, a new decking could set you back over £2000.
Cracked Windows
Another outside fixture, your windows are also at risk during a heavy storm. Windows are typically made from glass, a material that can break or shatter under extreme force. While advancements have been made in window technology to withstand higher winds, they are still susceptible to damage from large flying debris. Flying debris can be a huge problem for your windows if the wind picks up enough. Storms, especially those with high winds, can cause objects to become airborne. These objects can strike windows and cause them to break.
There are also other problems that your windows may face that not many people think about. During a storm, particularly a severe one there can be rapid changes in atmospheric pressure. If the pressure inside the home is significantly different from the outside, this pressure difference can cause windows to break. Depending on the type of window you have, you could end up having to pay around £600 to replace each broken window.
Brickwork
Almost every home in the UK is made from brickwork. While solid materials can withstand most things, they are not immune to some of the most extreme weather.
Bricks are porous, which means that they absorb water. If a storm brings heavy rainfall, bricks can absorb a lot of water. When the temperature drops, this water can freeze, and the expansion that occurs during freezing can cause the bricks to crack, a process known as freeze-thaw damage. It may not seem like too much of a problem, but damaged brickwork can compromise the structural integrity of the house. Cracked or deteriorating bricks may weaken the overall stability, posing a risk of collapse or further damage during extreme weather events such as earthquakes or high winds. You may also find that you are at risk of water damage. Cracks or gaps in damaged brickwork can allow water to leak into the house. This can result in water damage to the interior walls, floors, and ceilings, leading to mould growth, rot, and deterioration of other building materials. Brickwork isn’t too expensive to fix as the average cost of refilling or repointing in the UK is around £55 per brick. However, you can see how extensive damage to your brickwork can run up a particularly large bill.
Conclusion
Getting caught in a storm is no one’s idea of fun, but there are more significant things you may have to worry about when a storm strikes. Storm damage can result in significant financial loss. Repairing or replacing damaged property can be costly, especially if insurance coverage is limited or unavailable. The financial burden and uncertainty associated with storm damage can lead to worry about the practical implications and future expenses. It isn’t just the financial worries that most of us have though. Storm damage can also pose safety risks to you and your family. Structural damage to buildings, fallen trees, and electrical hazards are examples of potential dangers. Worrying about the safety of yourself, loved ones, and neighbours is a natural response when faced with such risks.
