Find out what the signs of storm damage to your home really mean 

Only a few weeks ago Storm Brendan hit the UK, unfortunately, followed swiftly by Storm Ciara, an even more treacherous storm. Unlike Brendan, this storm has adversely affected the whole of the UK, which has been hit hard with a trail of destruction which will continue for days and in some cases, longer.

Nowhere has been spared and towns and villages in and around Cambridge must now deal with the fallout. Sections of the M11 remain closed, the loss of a beautiful tree from Jesus Green’s iconic walkway and Wisbech Town Football Club’s stand, to name a few, face destruction.

All over the news damage to property is evident and fortunately, our tradespeople are able to help Cambridge residents with problems that have come about as a result of the recent storms.  Let’s hope that the worst has passed, but as storms are becoming more frequent, it remains important to make sure you and your property are safe.

Here we share some of the things you should look out for after the storm has passed. Ignoring some of the signals may result in huge costs and expense.

Roof

Roofs take the brunt of the stress of bad weather and storm damage. Therefore if you notice that you have missing roof tiles, the best short-term solution is to get tarpaulin to secure it down.  Do not use bricks or weights to hold it in place as these can cause serious injury if they fall off. Once secure you will need to find someone to replace the tile.

The signs of damage

• Debris on the ground means that you have loose tiles, slates, or shingles.
• A leak in your roof/loft space indicates problems with one of a few things including rusted nails, mold, sagging material, and loose sheathing.
• Internal wall damage can relate to damage to the flashings (the thin pieces of metal positioned to provide a watertight barrier).
• On flat roofs covered with bituminous felt, cracks, heat bubbles, pooling water, de-lamination, and joints between the flat roof and walls can be a sign it needs replacing.

Guttering, facia, and downpipes

After a heavy storm, you should check your guttering.

The signs of storm damage

• Sagging gutters, loose brackets nails, and rust on the rain gutters may mean the entire gutter needs replacing.
• Overflowing gutters tell you they are full of debris so the water can’t flow freely into the drains; this can cause expensive water damage elsewhere.
• Gaps on the fascia boards (the vertical pieces that connect your roof to the house) can, unfortunately, let in moisture, insects, or animals into your roof or attic.
• Broken fixing brackets, that secure the down-pipes lead straight into drains and soakaways, must be intact and securely attached to the fascia board, otherwise you are prone to leaks.

Fencing

The extreme weather we have just experienced will test any fence.  That is why it is important to use good quality fence posts and make sure they are sunk deeply into the ground and are well secured.

If you find that your fence has fallen over it is because it is rotten and unable to withstand the pressure of stormy weather. We strongly recommend that you use a reputable company to replace it securely because this will give you the necessary reassurance and guarantee.  In addition, it is a good investment to replace a broken post with a product that has undergone preservation pressure treatment designed to protect it from the challenges presented by the outside.

Trees

When a tree falls it can cause a lot of damage can to the local landscape or surrounding buildings.  If your tree falls it will need to be cleared as a matter of urgency.

If you have experienced any storm damage you can get in touch with any of our local tradespeople for help with any roofing, gutter repairs, fencing, or garden jobs.

Dawn Giesler, is the founder of scuseme Cambridge, an online marketplace that connects you with personally vetted tradespeople in your community.  She has lived in Cambridge for over 20 years and offers advice based on her own experiences.  For more information visit scuseme

If you would like to hear more from scuseme you can subscribe here