Steps to limit flood damage to your home

This weekend will see parts of the country experience heavy rain and gale force winds. As the country is told to prepare for the bad weather (with many areas placed on weather warning), Confused.com offers tips on how to protect homes as bad weather moves in.

Before the floods

Heavy and prolonged downfalls of rain are forecast for most parts of the country. Flash flooding is a risk for many, which could see homes deluged. As wet weather is forecast, homeowners do have time to implement some steps which can limit the damage caused: 

Move as much furniture as possible upstairs. If you do not have an upstairs, raise the furniture off the ground

Unplug electrical equipment and store as high as possible

Turn off mains supplies of water, gas and electricity

Place sandbags outside your property. This will reduce the amount of water able to get into a house

Locate your home insurance policy details. If you need to call and make a claim, make sure you have policy details and telephone numbers

Keep sentimental items such as jewellery and photos in a safe place. These cannot be replaced, so make sure they are high and dry

After the floods have hit

For those who are unfortunate enough to experience flooding as a result of the continued rain, below is some advice on what needs to be done:

Call the insurer as soon as possible after the water has entered your home. They will then assign drying equipment to the home which will speed up the process

Open windows and doors where appropriate to help ventilate the home

Take photographs of damaged items. This could insist the insurer in settling claims quickly

Keep ruined furniture until after the claim has been settled. Some providers may want to inspect the damage

When the wind blows

The bad weather doesn't just include prolonged spells of rain. Gales force winds with gusts up to 70mph is also on the cards. To negate further damage to homes, homeowners should:

Secure any objects that could cause damage (or be broken itself) if blown around. Such items could include garden furniture, barbecues and bikes

Make sure gates and outbuilding doors are shut securely

Cut back low hanging branches of trees and hedges to stop them from causing damage in high winds

Make sure external light fittings are secure

If wind causes damage to the roof, make sure loose tiles are removed to prevent them from falling and causing further damage

Darren Black, head of home insurance at Confused.com, said: "The UK is in for a battering this weekend so it's important homeowners make sure they are insured against the elements. However, comprehensive cover should be in place all year round as the weather in this country is unpredictable."

Confused.com encourages homeowners to check policy details outlining cover for alternative accommodation, new for old replacement items and rebuild costs offered by the provider. As many homeowners mistakenly believe re-build costs are the same as market value of a property, many pay over the odds on premiums. As the re-build figure is considerably less than the market value, the comparison website offers a calculator which will help homeowners work out the accurate re-build cost of the home, meaning customers don't pay more than they should.