The weather in the Netherlands is becoming more extreme. Due to global warming, extreme weather and storms are becoming more frequent. A fortnight ago, storm Ciara blew us away. Ciara was the very first storm in the Netherlands with an official name. And that was not for nothing. Ciara was a power woman who whizzed past at wind force 10. The wait is now on for Gerda, as predicted below. She promises to strike short and spunky. And that will probably be sooner than you think...
Storm Ciara turned into storm Dennis. And although storm Dennis is still palpable, storm Ellen is already lurking again. Apart from the fact that such a storm is just very annoying, it also causes a lot of damage. And damage costs money. Storm damage is damage that is caused by storms with wind force 7 (50 kilometres per hour) or more. Storm damage is usually covered by home insurance. Most building or storm damage insurances do not have an excess. Unless it concerns storm damage. In that case, the amount of the excess may vary between 200 and 500 euros. Phew. That is quite something, besides the premium you pay.
In the spirit of prevention, we wrote this blog for you. Say goodbye to storm damage. We have six tips to prevent storm damage!
Did you suffer from storm damage today?
We hope your neighbour's wind chime - the one that drives you to despair every day - has finally been blown away. All other damage is of course very annoying. Zoofy has more than 4,000 professionals under its umbrella who are happy to help you with storm damage. Don't go on your own to repair the damage. In many cases insurance companies will not compensate more or less. For damage to your roof, we can quickly arrange for a roofer. Our plumbers can also help you with water damage. Does your fence have storm damage? Our carpenters are ready to put that fence back up. For all other storm damage in the garden, our gardeners are the right people to turn to.
1. Close windows and doors
This is literally an open door, but it is nevertheless damage that is often caused after a storm. Do not forget any skylights and opening windows. The last thing you want is flying shards when storm Dennis arrives.
2. Put it inside or secure it
Do you have loose objects in your garden? Bring them inside or secure them. Think of planters, garden chairs, trampolines, your pets and the like. Secure or bring inside wheelie bins. Fences are also known as windbreakers. Is your fence crooked or does it look unstable? Then support your fence with sturdy posts until you install a new one. You can read how to do that yourself in the blog Installing a fence.
3. Inspect your roof and any potentially loose parts
Check whether the edges of your roof and roofing materials are securely fastened, and make sure there are no loose roof tiles or flashing. Have your roof inspected by a professional every year. Detecting leaks early can help prevent storm damage. Also inspect any items attached to or on your home, such as solar panels, antennas, satellite dishes, and flagpoles. And while you're at it, make sure your awning or sunshade is rolled up.
4. Prevent storm damage to your car – Stay home if you can
You probably think your car is heavy and stable, but wind gusts of around 100 km/h can still make driving dangerous. If you don't have to go out, leave your car where it is, put on your comfiest loungewear, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the couch with Netflix. If you do leave your car parked, avoid parking it under or next to a tree.
Sometimes going out is unavoidable. If you have to drive, keep both hands on the wheel and put your phone away. Reduce your speed and maintain a safe following distance. No matter how confident you are behind the wheel, another road user could still cause an accident. Also be careful when getting in or out of your car—hold the door firmly. Strong wind gusts can catch it unexpectedly, causing damage to your car door or nearby parked vehicles. And storm damage to your car is the last thing you want.
5. Prevent water damage
Clean your gutters regularly, or have them cleaned by a professional. A clogged gutter can cause serious water damage during a storm or other extreme weather. Keep in mind that if your roof or gutters are damaged during a storm and this leads to water damage, your insurance will generally only cover the resulting damage—not the cost of repairing the roof or gutter itself.
6. Check the trees around your home
Loose branches can easily become dangerous projectiles during a storm. Regularly prune dead or overhanging branches. Rotten or unstable trees can also pose a serious risk. Once a storm is on its way, it's already too late to take preventive action. If you notice a dangerous tree near your home, contact your local municipality immediately. They can assess the situation and determine what needs to be done to reduce the risk of storm damage, both now and in the future.
Reporting storm damage
If there is an immediate danger or emergency, always report (potential) storm damage to the fire department by calling 112.
In all other cases, once you've contacted your insurance company, the team at Zoofy is ready to help. If your property has suffered storm damage, don't start cleaning up immediately after the storm has passed. Your insurer will usually want to inspect the damage before any cleanup or repairs begin.