Storm-proof your home: prevent damage before, during and after

Boligfritid.dk is a Danish magazine for homeowners. This English version is written for international residents in Denmark. Read the original in Danish.

Severe storms rarely arrive completely without warning. That usually means there is time to prepare your house and garden. According to the insurance company Concordia Forsikring, most storm damage can be avoided if the home is maintained on an ongoing basis and you act in time once a storm has been forecast.

In a blog post, the company has gathered a number of tips, divided into what you can do before, during and after the storm. The post also includes four general storm tips from Danske Beredskaber (the association of Danish emergency services).

What you can do as a homeowner

Well before the storm, the focus is on the roof and trees. Inspect the roof and check that aerials are secure, that there are no loose parts around the chimney, and that the ridge tiles on clay and concrete tile roofs are properly fixed. Loose roof sheets and roof tiles should be secured. If your roof has a steel structure, it must be firmly anchored to the building, and here Concordia Forsikring recommends having a consulting engineer look at it. Also consider whether large trees close to your own or your neighbour’s house should be felled, and remove rotten or loose branches.

Once the storm has been forecast, it is time to clear up outside:

• Bring parasols, garden furniture, trampolines and other loose items indoors, or tie them down.
• Remove broken and dead branches.
• Close windows, doors and gates.
• If you are in the middle of building work or larger outdoor projects, secure tarpaulins, check the scaffolding, and brace materials and new structures.
• Arrange for neighbours or others to keep an eye on things if you are not at home yourself.

While the storm is raging, stay indoors. If the roof is damaged, move anything that could be damaged by rain or snow. Do not go up to cover the roof while it is windy, as this is dangerous. If your house is seriously damaged, you can call the emergency services on 1-1-2, or a redningskorps (private rescue and assistance service) if you have a subscription. If in doubt, you can contact your insurance company.

Once the storm has died down, the aim is to limit further damage. Cover broken windows with boards or plastic, and close or cover holes in the roof. Move your belongings away from the areas under the holes if more rain or snow is expected. If the power has been off, check the freezer. According to Concordia Forsikring, the insurance company covers reasonable and necessary costs of temporary repairs intended to prevent further damage. It is still a good idea to check what your own policy says.

• Keep receipts for all emergency repair costs.
• Take photos or video of everything that has been damaged.
• Do not throw away damaged items until a loss adjuster has seen them or the claim has been closed.
• Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.

If you are looking after a house for someone who is away, you should quickly make sure that a flooded basement is pumped out and dried, or that a roof that has lost tiles in the wind is covered.

Danske Beredskaber’s four general tips are: follow announcements from the authorities, avoid unnecessary travel outdoors if you are advised against it, charge your phone and ideally have a charged power bank ready, and lend a hand to neighbours who cannot storm-proof their homes themselves.

This article was written automatically on the basis of a press release from Concordia Forsikring. Read the press release on Via Ritzau (in Danish).

Klar til vinteren? Se tjeklisten til at gøre huset vinterklart.