Most of us look forward to seeing the sun, but heatwaves can spell trouble for our homes. In August, temperatures of more than 34C were recorded for six consecutive days for the first time in the UK for six decades. And when the heat keeps rising, so does the risk of property damage.
Here we outline the hidden dangers of heatwaves and what to do if you’re affected.
Subsidence
Subsidence is caused by the ground under a property shrinking and moving. This can happen when there is less moisture as result of prolonged dry spells and can be made worse by the presence of tree roots. Homes that are built on clay soil are most at risk, particularly older properties that were built with less robust foundations.
When the ground moves, it can cause structural damage. This may take several months to develop, and the first signs are usually new cracks in the walls close to doors and windows – and on the inside and outside. They are most likely to be wider at the top, spread diagonally and rapidly expand.
If you think your home has subsidence, act quickly and contact your buildings insurer or a property insurance repair specialist. As long as the underlying issue is identified and can be resolved, subsidence damage can be repaired relatively easily and without foundation work.
At Sarrani, our team of subsidence surveyors are on hand to assess the structural soundness of your property and determine what work will be required to rectify the issue. We also have specialists who can carry out subsidence repairs ranging from fixing cracks through to underpinning.
Flash floods
Scorching temperatures often trigger thunderstorms and flash flooding. This sudden change of weather means people are often unprepared, leaving their homes at risk of damage. Even properties in low flood risk areas can be affected. When significant rainfall hits dry ground, it takes longer to soak up so is more likely to run across the surface.
If the Environment Agency issues a flood warning for your area, there are several things you can do a short notice to help minimise damage:
Buy flood sacks for doorways to hold back floodwater – these are more effective than sandbags
Move your car to higher ground
Move your most valuable and essential possessions either upstairs or secure them safely away from home – for example with friends or relatives
Put an emergency kit of essential items together in case you need to evacuate
For more comprehensive advice on what to do before, after and during a flood, the Environment Agency has published a useful leaflet detailing everything you need to know.
If your property suffers flood damage and you need to claim on your insurance, contact Sarrani directly and our expert team can manage the entire process for you, ensuring your home is reinstated to the highest quality and with the least possible stress.
If your home or possessions are badly damaged, our loss assessors will confirm what repairs and replacements are required and covered by your policy. They will also advise you on which items can be thrown away and which ones must be kept to support your claim.
In an emergency, we can be on site within 24 hours to help you clear up quickly and safely as we offer a full range of repair and restoration services for flood damage. These include water removal, cleaning and decontamination of the affected areas, and implementing advanced drying equipment to minimise the likelihood of further damage caused by prolonged dampness and mould.
Fire hazards
Fire risks can be exacerbated in a heat wave. As we seek to cool down in our homes, it’s important not to overload plug sockets with appliances such as fans. If you need to use an extension lead, don’t overload it and completely unwind the wire to avoid overheating. If you’re buying new fans for your home, ensure they have a British or European safety mark.
Fire brigades have also warned about the dangers of leaving mirrors and shiny objects out of direct sunlight as they can magnify in the sun’s rays. In 2018, a house set on fire after sunlight reflected from a glass table in the back garden.
At Sarrani, we have seen this first-hand having worked with many people whose homes have been severely damaged by a fire.
If the worst happens, our team can help to restore fire-damaged properties quickly and efficiently, offering a dedicated 24/7 emergency helpline. Our specialist services include soot and smoke decontamination, detailed assessments of damaged areas, and asbestos sampling and removal.
Our ability to manage insurance claims on behalf of the property owner, also ensures there is one less thing to worry about. Working in partnership with a skilled loss assessor, we can increase the chance of a claim being accepted and make sure homeowners receive everything they’re entitled to.
For further information on repairing damaged homes as a result of the heatwave and how we can help with insurance claims, please contact us on 020 3006 3126 or email our experts at info@sarrani.com.