Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s a present reality affecting homeowners across the UK. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, protecting your property has never been more important.
You’re not powerless, though. Taking proactive steps to make your home climate-resilient can not only safeguard your most valuable asset but also potentially reduce your insurance premiums. Here’s everything you need to know about protecting your home from our changing climate.
Understanding the Climate Risks Facing UK Homes
Millions more properties could be at risk from flooding, with rising temperatures, increased urbanisation and inadequate drainage exacerbating the risks in future according to Aviva. The threats aren’t limited to flooding alone, though, homeowners now face a complex array of climate-related threats, including subsidence, storm damage, and the effects of extreme heat.
One in five UK properties is currently at flood risk, expected to rise to one in four by 2050 as climate change undermines existing flood defence standards.
Protecting Against Flood Risk
If your property is located in a flood-prone area, taking preventative action can make a substantial difference. Homeowners should consider raising electrical sockets in higher-risk areas of the building, fitting non-return valves on toilets, and installing flood gates and self-closing airbricks to avoid water getting in.
These measures may seem modest, but they can prevent thousands of pounds in damage. Water entering your home through ground-level entry points can cause devastating damage to flooring, furnishings, and the structural integrity of your property. Non-return valves, in particular, prevent sewage backup during flooding events, a problem that’s not only costly but deeply unpleasant.
External flood defences also play a crucial role. Flood gates can be deployed when severe weather is forecast, creating a barrier that keeps water away from your property’s vulnerable points. Self-closing airbricks automatically seal when water levels rise, preventing ingress while still allowing ventilation during normal conditions.
Garden Drainage: An Often-Overlooked Solution
Your garden’s ability to absorb water has a huge impact on your property’s flood risk. Homeowners should ensure their garden has suitable drainage to help absorb surface water and choose more permeable materials for hard surfaces, such as gravel or block paving, while avoiding fake grass, which can make it more difficult for water to be absorbed.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that artificial lawns, while low-maintenance, can actually increase flood risk by preventing natural water absorption. Similarly, large areas of concrete paving or tarmac create impermeable surfaces that channel water towards your property rather than allowing it to drain naturally into the soil.
Consider installing soakaways or rain gardens (landscaped areas designed to capture and absorb rainfall). French drains can also redirect water away from your home’s foundations, reducing both flood risk and the potential for structural damage.
Tackling Subsidence Risk
An additional 1.4 million properties could be at risk from subsidence by 2050, with the 2022 heatwave causing £219 million in subsidence claims. Subsidence occurs when clay soils shrink during prolonged dry periods, causing ground movement that damages building foundations. With hotter, drier summers becoming more common, this risk is intensifying.
For properties in high subsidence risk zones, homeowners should check that trees and large shrubs are planted at a safe distance from the property and are pruned regularly, ideally planted with lower water demands. Large trees can extract enormous amounts of water from clay soil, exacerbating shrinkage during dry periods.
Maintaining consistent soil moisture levels around your property can also help. During prolonged dry spells, consider using soaker hoses to keep the soil around your foundations from drying out excessively, but be careful not to overwater, as this can cause other problems.
Storm and Wind Protection
With windstorms becoming potentially more intense, ensuring your property can withstand extreme weather is essential. Regular maintenance is your first line of defence:
- Inspect and repair roof tiles, ensuring they’re securely fastened
- Clear gutters and downpipes to prevent water overflow and ice damage
- Trim overhanging branches that could fall onto your property
- Secure garden furniture and structures that could become projectiles in high winds
- Check the condition of fences and outbuildings, repairing weak points before storms strike
The Insurance Benefit
Insurers are increasingly recognising and rewarding homeowners who take resilience measures seriously. When you speak with your insurance provider or broker about the resilience measures you’ve implemented, you may find they’re willing to adjust your premiums accordingly. At minimum, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing your property is better protected.
Taking Action Today
Climate resilience isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving your property’s defences. Start by assessing your specific risks: Is your property in a flood zone? Are there large trees on clay soil? Is your drainage adequate?
Many of these improvements can be implemented gradually, spreading the cost over time while progressively reducing your risk exposure. Some measures, like changing garden surfaces or managing vegetation, can even be incorporated into regular maintenance schedules at minimal additional cost.
Expert Guidance Matters
Understanding your property’s specific vulnerabilities and the most effective solutions requires expertise. At The Bateman Group, we help homeowners understand their climate risks and ensure they have appropriate insurance coverage that reflects their resilience measures. We can advise on how improvements to your property might affect your premiums and help you find insurers who reward proactive risk management.
Don’t wait for the next storm or heatwave to think about climate resilience. Taking action now protects both your home and your financial security. For expert advice on home insurance and protecting your property against climate risks, contact us today.
