Preparing Your Park Home For Storms

This may be a good time for you to start preparing your park home for storms. With the increased likelihood of severe weather in autumn and winter, it is good to know that storm damage is covered as standard in your park home insurance cover. In addition, there are some things you can do to mitigate the likelihood of suffering damage or loss in the event of a storm.

  1. Weather monitoring

Forewarned is forearmed, as they say. At this time of year, it may be a good idea for you to make a habit of regularly checking for storms in your area. The Met Office provides a weather warning service here. The time this can buy you to prepare may be important, particularly if you are in an exposed area or in a place that carries a high risk of flooding. This article is designed to help you think about how you can use this time wisely to prepare your park home for stormy weather.

  1. Outside areas

High winds are made more dangerous by loose objects that can be picked up and thrown around. A storm might pick up garden furniture or a loose fence panel and throw them at glass windows or doors. It might save you damage and possible injury if you can store your garden furniture inside for the duration of a storm, and ensure any fences are well-maintained.

Loose fallen branches and other debris can also cause a hazard in strong winds. You might want to make clearing debris part of your regular maintenance. You may also want to make regular checks of nearby trees and inform your park management if you’re concerned they may present any danger.

  1. Awnings, gazebos and other temporary structures

You can reduce the risk of damage to your park home by taking in all the awnings or temporary structures, or even temporary outdoor lighting. If you take down anything temporary that is going to catch the wind or be moved by it, you could reduce the risk of damage in a storm.

  1. Emergency lighting

Storms may bring power cuts. It is a good idea to keep a torch or other battery- powered lighting somewhere you will remember. You may also want to look into permanent emergency lighting for indoors and out.

  1. Clear gutters and vents

As rainy days become more frequent, this is a good time of year to check your gutters and vents. Storms can bring large volumes of rain, which if it is not drained well, can sometimes lead to damage and damp or even water in your home. You may want to increase the frequency of checks on your gutters, particularly if nearby trees are losing their leaves.

  1. Roofing

This is a good time for you to check for loose, damaged or missing tiles or fixtures on your roof. A small problem now can escalate quickly in a storm. Resolving any issues now, by engaging a professional if necessary, can avoid more costly damage later.

  1. Secure windows and doors

If a storm is imminent or happening already, according to the Met Office, you should stay indoors and secure all your doors and windows. Before the storm you may want to check doors and windows for draughts and make repairs to seals or plug gaps if necessary.

It also helps if you keep internal doors shut as much as possible during a storm. In high winds, this can help you to reduce the chance of sudden shifts in air pressure inside your home. You may want to see if internal draft excluders make a difference for your home.

  1. Know the risks

The exact location of your park home and the nature of the storm matter, of course. Exposed on a bluff, facing the sea in high winds will bring different challenges than deep in a valley near a fast-flowing river during heavy rainfall. One may want to ‘batten down’ everything, the other may need sandbags. You might find thinking through the risks connected specifically to where you live, just once, could help you to be more prepared for storms.

  1. Park vehicles in the safest place you can

If you can put any vehicles that you have inside a garage, you will minimise the risk of damage. If that’s not possible, be aware of overhanging trees and any temporary structures outside other park homes. If you’re able to move and park your vehicle away from buildings and hazards and somewhere that it is still secure, you might want to do so.

  1. If you need to make a claim

In the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim on your park home insurance following a storm, storm damage is included as standard in your park home insurance cover from Park Home Assist – terms and conditions apply. Contact us as soon as you can, when it’s safe to do so, and our award-winning team will talk you through what you need to do.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi-award-winning providers of residential park home insurance.  If you would like to speak to an advisor regarding insurance for your park home, please contact our friendly team in our Northampton office on 01604 946 796.

Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.

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Published – 17/11/23