Preparing your home for Ireland’s changing weather

Tips to help protect your property

Ireland is often described as having four seasons in one day.

But the weather in Ireland has been so all over the place in recent years that knowing what to expect next has become much harder. As much as we might complain when the country skips spring for a week, or replaces winter with a seasonal monsoon season, there’s no doubt that when it threatens our homes we have to sit up and take notice.

No one can avoid every problem brought on by the weather. But a little bit of readiness planning can help keep your home fresh, increase its likely lifespan, or simply keep it hassle-free so you’re not having to deal with water leaks in the kitchen/bathroom/old stone walls.

Check the roof and clear the gutters

The roof of your house is the last line of defence against the weather. A few harsh winters can make even the easiest of vulnerabilities weak, particularly if they have fixable damage but are unattended.

It’s a good idea to check for any broken or missing roof tiles and for signs of damp or leaks in the attic. Small issues can become worse during a prolonged wet period if there’s no cover. If there is an accumulation of moss, lichen or other plant-something on the roof, perhaps consider having them removed, as they can block gutters and downpipes, which leads to other problems over time.

Gutters are something that people neglect as a maintenance item, but they fill up with leaves and other debris. This prevents water from flowing to downpipes, overspilling the gutters, and causing wet patches on outer walls made of timber, etc. It’s good to give gutters a screen, and clean them at the start of wet periods so that rain can flow freely away from the building.

Protect your home from water damage

One way or another, your home will have to deal with rain. While flood risk can vary with your location and how prepared places are for large rains, even not-so-floody homes can suffer rain coming in through leaky roofs, blocked drainpipes, and bad window or door seals.

Check the seals on doors and windows for drafts or wear and tear. Drafts can be uncomfortable in the winter; they can also indicate places where rain could find its way into the home. The homeowner should also inspect outside walls for gaps or cracks, including around windows and doors, and where different building materials come together.

The homeowner should also know where the main water cutoff valve is. If a pipe bursts or there is another major leak, being able to turn off the water right away can minimise damage.

The homeowner should also zoom out a little and look at broader financial protection. No home insurance policy is the same, and understanding what is and isn’t covered can prevent a nasty shock if a person’s property does become damaged unexpectedly. The same goes for keeping the overall household safe, including things such as home insurance, especially with many people taking a closer look at household financial protection.

Get pipes ready for cold weather

Ireland might not have extremely harsh winters, but the cold temperatures can cause problems with a home’s pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which can put stress on the pipes, potentially leading to them cracking or even bursting.

Pipes in unheated areas such as attics, garages or sheds are more vulnerable to problems. The homeowner can insulate exposed pipes during cold snaps for added protection. Outdoor taps can be tested and inspected too, as any water left in them can freeze while it’s cold outside.

If a home is going to be left empty in particularly cold weather, the homeowner may want to go a bit further. They can leave the heating on, even at a low temperature, so if it is extremely cold outside, the temperature indoors does not take a dramatic drop. They could also make sure someone could check on the home if they’re going to be gone.

Don’t forget about the trees and outside

Trees can add beauty and value to a property, but in strong winds, they can turn into a bit of a hazard. The homeowner should inspect trees around the property and close to buildings, driveways, power lines and anything else that could be hurt by dead or falling branches.

Bear in mind that just because a tree is large and old, that does not mean it has to be cut down. But if a large and old tree is of concern, the homeowner may want to seek professional insight into the tree’s condition. Having weak branches trimmed before a stormy season can reduce the chance of damage.

Make your home more energy efficient

Preparing for bad weather isn't just about reducing the risk of damage. It can also make a home more comfortable to live in and prevent energy waste.

Defensive measures, such as filling up any draughts, improving loft insulation and checking windows, can reduce heat lost from a property, helping to keep it warmer in winter. In summer, shading and ventilation can help to cool rooms down.

Older homes, especially, could benefit from a more general energy efficiency survey. This will help identify where heat is being lost and the most effective ways to improve energy efficiency. While some energy-saving measures have a price tag, particularly upfront costs, better insulation and more energy-saving measures are likely to have benefits in the long term.

Even the smallest changes can make a difference in many households. Useful simple steps include replacing worn-out draught excluders, fixing damaged seals and moving furniture so that it doesn’t block radiators.

Set up a household emergency plan

Sometimes bad weather can have repercussions that go beyond just damage to a property. Power cuts, blocked roads and other inclement weather may have effects that can last for several hours or days.

Each household should know what to do if they are left stuck at home, from torches and batteries to medical supplies and basic food and drink supplies.

Useful contact lists of the emergency services, energy providers, family members and trusted neighbours should be kept in an easily accessible place.

For older people, people living alone and those with young children, this is especially important. A quick check-in service for neighbours or relatives will allow them to give a level of certainty when the effects of violent weather are felt throughout a local area.

Check the protection of your home every year

One of the simplest ways for someone to be ready is to check the protective covering on a house once a year during a check. This couldn’t be simpler: go around the house before and check the state of the roof tiles, gutters, walls, then go indoors and check the state of taps, windows and other fixtures.

It is a good time to look at the smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and batteries. Replace them when they aren’t working, and it is a good time to look and see if the emergency packs in your homes are out of date or need to be refilled.

It is also time for homeowners to take out their policies, their lease agreements, and review them. It is very difficult to look at the cover that you have if something does happen, and it is better to be aware of what you have and what you don’t have in the case of an emergency.

One of the few things that homeowners cannot control is the weather. But we know we need to be able to cope with whatever the Irish weather has. Taking a couple of hours to look at the roof, to look at gardens, to clean out the balcony. To add guttering pipes to divert the water; all could save the owner a lot more further on down the road.