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Homeowners need to prepare for long, cold winter

11/10/05

With the coldest winter in the last ten years on its way, homeowners are advised to give their house an MOT-style check to help limit the damage caused by snow, rain and storms.
 
Halifax Home Insurance says that last year bad weather caused over £17 million pounds of damage with around 20,000 people making claims from its policies alone. This year, it has paid out over £20 million in 23,000 storm claims.
 
Halifax says it has seen a 40 per cent increase in weather-related claims since 2001 but claims that a few simple steps checks will enable homeowners to protect their properties and save themselves money.
 
Roof tiles should be secured and guttering should be cleared of blockages and firmly attached to the house. Low hanging branches on trees should be trimmed to limit the damage they can cause in high winds.
 
Doors on outbuildings should be kept locked and gates securely fastened whilst all loose items should be packed away into sheds or garages.
 
Chimneys should be checked for soot build-up and professionally swept if necessary.
 
Checking the loft is properly insulated, but allows adequate ventilation, whilst thicker curtains will also keep more heat in can reduce heating bills.
 
Homeowners are also advised to get an expert to check that gas fires, central heating and boilers are fully functional. Heating should be set to a minimum of 10°c to stop pipes from freezing.
 
Vicky Emmott, senior underwriting manager, Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Whilst it's the big weather events, such as the Carlisle floods and the tornado in Birmingham which make the headlines, frozen pipes, fallen trees and damaged roofs all torment UK households throughout the winter."
 
"With home emergencies, prevention is certainly better than cure and many claims could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing their homes for the winter," she added.