Following the recent heatwave felt by most parts of the UK at the start of August, the UK has been issued multiple weather warnings of heavy rain by the Met Office. These yellow and red warnings are to make people aware of the possible disruption and damage heavy rainfall may cause to many businesses and individuals across the country. It is thought that the UK may experience more rainfall in one day, than we did for the entire month of July.
At Ravenhall Risk Solutions, we understand that flooding can have a devastating impact on your business and require huge, unexpected pay-outs to recover any losses. As your insurance partner, Ravenhall Risk Solutions are here to support and provide advice to ensure minimum disruption is caused during the expected storms.
As Chartered Independent Insurance Brokers, we recommend clients consider prevention measures, as these can be more controllable for your business than the aftermath. Therefore, we have listed several ways to prevent damage to your premises:
- Keep your fences and boundary walls in good condition.
- Make sure that drainpipes and gutters are properly fixed in place and maintained.
- Keep gutters and drains clear so that rainwater can drain away.
- Ensure that any slipped/cracked slates and tiles are fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
- Cut back any large branches (especially dead ones) which overhang your home or outbuildings.
- Look out for cracked or loose cement around ridge tiles or chimneys and get them repaired.
- Remember that felt flat roofs only have a limited life expectancy and they need to be regularly checked.
- Replace any blown brickwork and fill cracks in rendering.
- Keep external woodwork in good condition and renew weatherproof coatings on a regular basis.
- Back up your computer to avoid the loss of any sentimental material (such as family photos). Both lightning and flood damage could wipe your computer’s hard drive.
- Make sure that all valuables are locked safely away, preferably in a waterproof container kept on an upper floor.
- In certain areas which are commonly affected by storm or flood, keep an emergency kit ready and ensure it is kept somewhere easy to get to. Any kit should include a torch, some canned food and portable cooking equipment, bottled water, portable radio, along with spare batteries, blankets, waterproof clothing and boots, a list of local emergency numbers (e.g. the council), your insurance details and a First Aid kit
If you require any advice please contact us on 0345 216 3000, during our office being closed, please contact our out of office emergency number 07710 271929 or call your insurers directly following the advice in your policy schedule.
