How to storm-proof your home, with tips from a Treledan housebuilder

When the wind picks up overnight, which do you think about first? The garden chairs, the gutters, or where you left the torch?

If the answer is none of them, you’re far from alone. More than a third of UK homeowners (37%) take no steps at all to prepare before a storm hits, according to a survey by David Wilson Homes, the housebuilder currently building at Treledan in Cornwall.

With extreme winter weather becoming more common across the UK, the company is urging homeowners to get ahead of it, and one of its directors has put together a list of the jobs worth doing before the next warning lands.

What the survey found

David Wilson Homes surveyed 500 UK homeowners about their storm preparation knowledge and habits. The housebuilder points to a Met Office prediction of an “unprecedented” El Niño in 2026, and says the results show many households lack the skills to prepare for extreme winter weather.

• Only 45% secure outdoor furniture, one of the most common causes of storm damage.
• 36% only check for draughts when something goes wrong, and 22% never check.
• Just 14% clear their gutters and 12% check roof tiles.
• Only 9% prepare an emergency kit for power cuts or severe disruption.

Awareness is higher than action, though. 69% know they should secure loose items ahead of winter, and 57% know to protect pipes from freezing.

Tim Sexton, Construction Director at David Wilson Homes, said: “With 37% of homeowners taking no preparatory steps before storms, many properties could be at risk. The good news is that simple preventative measures can help to make properties more secure, reducing the likelihood of storm damage.”

Eight ways to get your home ready for a storm

Tim shared eight tips for households preparing for stormy weather.

1. Secure loose items

“Garden furniture, bins and ornaments can become hazardous in high winds. Store them indoors where possible or use heavy-duty fixings to keep them secure.”

2. Check your roof and gutters

“Look for loose or missing tiles from ground level and clear gutters of leaves and debris to prevent leaks and water damage during heavy rain or snowmelt. If you’re unsure, a quick professional inspection can identify any issues.”

3. Protect pipes from freezing

“Insulate exposed pipes and keep your heating on at a low, consistent level in cold snaps to help prevent burst pipes and avoid costly repair work.”

4. Seal windows and doors

“Simple draught-proofing keeps your home warm and helps stop rain being driven indoors during storms. Easy DIY options include self-adhesive foam strips around frames, brush draught excluders on doors, and a cover on the letterbox.”

5. Trim overhanging trees

“Remove weak branches on trees near your property to reduce the risk of damage from falling branches during high winds.”

6. Protect fences

“Choose wind-resistant trellis or slat panels with closely spaced posts. Use heavy-duty materials like vinyl wood with concrete post braces, and ensure posts are installed deep in the ground for a secure, storm-proof base.”

7. Prepare an emergency kit

“Keep essentials like torches, batteries, bottled water and blankets in case of power cuts or severe disruption. A portable phone charger can also be useful.”

8. Stay informed

“Sign up for local weather alerts and have a simple plan for securing your home quickly if a storm warning is issued.”

What to do in heavy rain

Tim has also put together a checklist for different kinds of weather. When the rain sets in:

• Make sure your downpipes are clear and directing water away from the foundations. Blocked drainage is one of the most common causes of water ingress (water getting into the building from outside).
• Check your gutters regularly and remove leaves, moss or twigs that could cause blockages.
• If you have airbricks (ventilation bricks with holes that let air flow under your floors), make sure they aren’t blocked or sitting below the level where water pools, as this can lead to damp and structural problems.

When snow is forecast

• Know where your stopcock is. It’s the valve that controls your main water supply, and you’ll need it if pipes freeze and burst.
• Stock up on rock salt or sand to treat paths and driveways before the snow arrives.
• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces such as garages, sheds or outdoor taps using foam pipe insulation.
• Clear snow from around vents, boiler flues and meter boxes so there’s proper ventilation and access for emergency services if needed.
• Keep pathways clear to prevent slips and falls.

During frosty spells

• Leave the heating on low overnight (around 12 to 15°C) rather than switching it off completely, which can stop pipes freezing.
• Consider opening the loft hatch so warm air can circulate around pipes in the roof space, which are more vulnerable to freezing.
• Leave internal doors open to help heat move around the property.
• Open cupboard doors where pipes are located so warm air can reach them.
• Let taps drip slightly overnight if temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze than water standing in pipes.

“With extreme weather conditions becoming more frequent and unpredictable, taking these simple precautions could help protect your home and avoid unnecessary expense,” Tim said.