Preparing your home for heavy rain

Preparing the outside of your home for heavy rain

1. Check your roof

It’s better to do this before the weather turns; however, we should all get into the habit of checking our roofs regularly – after all, your whole house sits underneath it!

Keep an eye out for any loose or missing roof tiles – calling a local tradesman to fix it when you first notice a problem is better than calling someone out to fix any damage later on.

2. Clear gutters and check they’re secure

Gutters are an integral part of your home, by directing rainwater off of our roofs and into our drains. It’s also a good idea to check your gutters to see if water is overflowing from anywhere it shouldn’t be.

This could mean that you have a blockage somewhere that needs clearing. Keeping your gutters clear helps to prevent water damage to the rest of your home. It also ensures water isn’t pouring out over where it shouldn’t be… Like the front door for example!

If you’re not comfortable tackling this job by yourself, then a local tradesman will be able to sort this out for you relatively easily.

3. Protect valuable items by covering and securing them

If you have any garden furniture such as tables and chairs, or even a BBQ, it’s a good idea to cover them up and secure them in bad weather. Even if they are waterproof and made for the outdoors, taking care of them will prolong their lifespan and keep them looking newer for longer. Not to mention – it will reduce the number of times you end up having to clean them!

4. Clear your streets “storm drains”

They’re not a part of your home, but checking storm drains on the street outside of your house can also help protect your home from the heavy rain.

If debris and rubbish collect around the drains, then they’ll likely not work as effectively. This could lead to water backing up into your garden, or at the very least a big puddle for you to jump over when you head out in the morning. Clearing away any rubbish will help to increase the amount of water they’re able to drain away (as well as how quickly).

If you notice that your drains are clear but water is still backing up, then it may be worth contacting your local council to investigate.

5. Remember, it’s windy

With rain often comes wind – and if that is the case, make sure you check for any loose branches or fixtures such as drainpipes, gutters and garden ornaments on or around your home. If it’s safe to, and you’re able to so, either remove or secure them yourself (if not, call out a local tradesman who will be able to do this for you).

Preparing inside of your home

6. Check the roof again

This time from the inside: head up into the loft to make sure there are no leaks which could cause further damage. Wet or damp walls, mould or rotting wood could indicate that you potentially have an unchecked leak.

Can you see daylight coming through any cracks? Or can you feel a draft? If light and drafts can get through, then so could any water. If you notice any leaks or cracks; you should make sure the area is secure, move any valuables away from the area.

7. Welcome mats

It may feel like a bit of a no brainer, but if you don’t have a welcome mat by the front door all you will be doing on rainy days is treading dirty water into your home. If you don’t have a welcome mat, try putting down a couple of sheets of newspaper instead to soak up any excess water and dirt.

8. Check the seals on windows and doors

If your windows and doors aren’t sealed properly, not only can they let the cold in but during bad weather, they can let water in too! The good news is that sealing any gaps in your windows and doors is a relatively easy job that you can do yourselves. If you have an old or wooden door, these sometimes have a gap underneath which may let rainwater in more easily than PVC doors – invest in a waterproof draft excluder to keep the water out (and your home dry and warm!).

Don’t let heavy rain drain your wallet

Heavy rain can drain more than just water – it can drain your wallet with unexpected repairs. Our Plumbing and Drainage Cover is a smart investment to protect your finances from costly plumbing issues during heavy rainfall. Save on unexpected expenses and invest in Plumbing and Drainage Cover today.