With hot weather looming around the corner, it’s entirely likely that another UK heatwave is on the cards. With temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees this summer, it’s important to be prepared by making sure our homes are ready to face the heat.
In this guide, we’ll be going over the best ways you can prepare your home for a UK heatwave without breaking the bank. But if you’d like to discuss your home insurance in greater detail, you can contact us to learn more.
What effects can a UK heatwave have on your home?
The increased heat comes with a whole host of issues. In the summer when the weather gets warmer in the UK, our homes are more likely to become humid.
When your home becomes humid, you are at a higher risk of it becoming damp. This is even worse if your home doesn’t have proper ventilation. If left without treatment, this can then cause severe damage.
High temperatures can cause cracks within your home and any slightly worn materials can deteriorate further. The sun can also cause any paint to bubble and peel off.
How long does a UK heatwave typically last?
Whilst we experience a few months of hot and sunny weather during the summertime, a heatwave will usually only last for a few days. In 2023 we experienced the hottest year on record. Some parts of the UK saw temperatures reach 33.5 degrees celsius. In the past few years, we have seen some extreme temperatures for the UK, and this is thought to continue.
Unfortunately, our homes are not built for this hot weather. Instead, they’re built to keep the heat in, which is great in our colder months, but not so great in summer. Whilst other countries have air conditioning in their houses, this isn’t common in UK homes.
How do you prepare your home for a UK heatwave?
Your home can quickly become very hot, especially if your windows are north-facing. This means that during the day the sunlight is beaming in and heating up your home. It’s important to make sure that you are keeping your curtains closed in these rooms to help prevent the temperature from climbing.
Another step which will help is to keep your property well-ventilated. Not only does this allow for a flow of air to cool down your home, but it helps prevent humidity. When you’re home you can open a few windows in different rooms to create some circulation. Make sure to close these windows if you leave and be aware of thieves.
A great way to help keep the sun from superheating your home is to upgrade the insulation in your loft. Not only will this help to keep your home warmer in winter, but it’ll help keep it cooler in summer. Your house is susceptible from overheating through the roof due to its prolonged period of sun rays. This then feeds through and increases the heat in your home.
Following heatwaves, it’s not uncommon to get storms. Make sure that your home is ready for this by ensuring all cracks and crevices are filled, and your gutters are clear. If you’ve neglected the maintenance of your home, now is the time to rectify that. Not only will this help prevent leaks and mould, but filling in cracks will also help keep the heat out during the heatwave. If your home is susceptible to flooding, make sure that you know how to protect your home from a storm.
How do you prepare your family for a UK heatwave?
Heatwaves in the UK can be difficult as our infrastructure isn’t prepared to deal with them. It’s important to take particular care of vulnerable people, babies, and small children. As well as this it’s good practice to try to keep your bedrooms as cool as possible, and ensure you’re hydrated.
As well as this, UK heatwaves can often lead to power outages, so keeping torches and portable chargers around is always a good idea.
Check what your home insurance covers during heatwaves
Be sure to take a look over your home insurance policy and see what it covers in terms of damage from heatwaves. If you’ve prepared your home adequately, there should be minimal damage to your home.
Here at Carbon Insurance Brokers, our tailor-made insurance meets your needs with comprehensive cover levels to protect your home. We offer both specialist home insurance, and specialist non-standard home insurance. If you would like to find out more about how to prepare for a UK heatwave, you can visit us online or contact us today to speak with a friendly member of our team.
