How Can Weather Cause Damage to Your Home?

Have you considered how the weather could potentially cause damage to your home? Whether it’s high winds or scorching temperatures, we’ve explored what you can expect from various weather conditions to help you prepare for any eventuality. 

Sun

Bringing some of our favoured weather - blue skies and pleasant temperatures – the sun, quite surprisingly, can cause damage to your home. Soft furnishings and furniture in your home can be susceptible to damage from sunlight. The light can reach the items through windows and doors, fading colours, drying woods and causing fibres to become brittle. To avoid the sun damage to the items within your home, use shades or net curtains to reduce the amount of direct light reaching them. It is also advised, if you have any antique furniture, that these are displayed in the shadier areas of your home to limit their exposure. 

Heat

With the sun, comes an increase in temperature and humidity. When wood is exposed to this, it can expand. If you have untreated wooden flooring, window frames or doors, they can be prone to absorbing the moisture from the air and swelling. This can cause them to become displaced or no longer able to fit where they were previously intended. 

Rain

Most roofs are designed with the consideration of rain. The UK is renowned for its downpours, and we can expect a generous dollop regardless of the time of year. The rain itself isn’t always the culprit for any damage to your home, but any cracks or gaps can be. If the water droplets find their way into your property, either from the roof, windows, doors and walls, it can lead to damage to the integrity of the building. As the water seeps into the woodwork and stone or brickwork, it can, in the worst case, weaken the structure.  Rain leaking into your home can also help create the perfect environment for damp and mould. Our recent guide on how to prepare your home for wet weather will ensure you have all the basics covered for a potential shower! It includes applying anti-mould paint, clearing your gutters, sealing windows and doors, checking your roof and much more! 

Wind

Whether its gale-force or a gentle breeze, wind can potentially be a cause for damage to your property. 

Depending on the quality of the fixtures and fittings on your home, extreme wind can be destructive. Typically, guttering is made from plastic and is secured using screws; with a strong gust, these could potentially be torn from their attachments. 

A strong wind can also lift or misplace roof tiles, opening areas of your roof and exposing them to other elements, such as rain. 

Trees around or near your property can also be a cause for concern when the wind increases in speed. A strong gust could tear off tree limbs, or in a worst-case scenario, fell the entire tree. 

Cold

Water pipes and cold temperatures are not a favourable mix. When the temperature drops, the water in the pipes expands, as it gradually gets closer to freezing. This expansion can cause an increase in pressure, which, in turn, can cause the pipe to burst. A burst pipe can lead to flooding. As well as this, before the pipe can be replaced, there will be a period of time that it cannot be used. Pipes that are most susceptible to these conditions include those which are outside of the home or in outhouses. To prevent pipes bursting during cold weather, the following steps should be taken:

- Keep a tap running very slowly. The movement should stop the water from freezing. 

- Disconnect hoses.

- Allow warm air to flow into outhouses.

- Wrap the pipes in heat tape or insulation.

Snow

Although it appears light and fluffy, thick snow weighs a considerable amount. When it has settled on your rooftops and guttering, the heaviness and pressure can cause destruction as these elements of your home may not have been built with this additional weight in consideration.    

Hot or cold, severe weather can cause considerable damage to your home. Without preventative action and maintenance, these can quickly become a home-owners nightmare. But awareness is key, and knowing what could happen, will assist you in averting any eventuality and help your to keep you home in the best condition possible!