Storm Season in the Highlands: How to Protect Your Windows, Gutters and Roof
Named storms are becoming more frequent across Scotland. Learn how to prepare your property before the wind picks up and what to check once the storm has passed.
Anyone who has lived through a winter in Inverness, Buckie or along the Moray coast knows that February is rarely gentle. Named storms now arrive several times a year, with gusts regularly exceeding 70 miles per hour. The good news is that a small amount of preparation can prevent a huge amount of damage.
Why Highland and Moray Properties Are Particularly Exposed
The North of Scotland sits in the path of Atlantic weather systems, and our coastal regions get the full force of westerly and northerly gales. Properties in the Highlands and Moray are typically dealing with:
- Driving horizontal rain that finds its way into any weakness
- Salt laden air along the Moray Firth that accelerates corrosion
- Sudden temperature drops that turn rainwater into ice overnight
- Strong gusts that lift loose tiles, flashings and guttering
Before the Storm: A Practical Checklist
Check your gutters. Blocked gutters during a storm send water cascading down the side of your home, soaking walls and pooling at the foundations. A clear gutter is one of the cheapest forms of protection you can have.
Look at downpipes. Make sure they are securely fixed and draining away from the property. Loose downpipes are often the first thing to come away in heavy wind.
Inspect window seals. Run a hand around the frame on a dry day. Any gaps, perished rubber or loose silicone should be sorted before water is driven into them at speed.
Secure loose items in the garden. Garden furniture, bins and trampolines have all been known to take out windows in Highland gardens.
Check trees and overhanging branches. A branch that looks fine on a still day can do serious damage in a gale.
What to Do During a Storm
Stay indoors and away from windows on the windward side of the property. If you have shutters, close them. If you do not, simply drawing curtains can reduce the risk of flying glass in the worst case scenario. Never go outside to clear gutters or secure items mid storm. It is not worth the risk.
After the Storm: What to Check
Once the wind has dropped, walk around the outside of your property and look for:
- Dislodged or missing roof tiles and slates
- Gutter sections that have pulled away from the fascia
- Cracks or chips in window glass, including small impact marks from debris
- Water marks running down walls (a sign of overflowing gutters)
- Debris caught in gutters and on flat roof sections
- Bent or detached aerials and satellite dishes
Take photographs of any damage straight away. If you need to make an insurance claim, dated images from immediately after the event make the process far easier.
Insurance and Documentation
Most home insurance policies cover storm damage, but they often require you to demonstrate that the property was being reasonably maintained. Keeping a record of gutter cleans, window inspections and any minor repairs strengthens any future claim significantly.
The Role of Regular Maintenance
Storms expose weaknesses that already exist. A property where gutters are cleared twice a year, where window seals are checked, and where small issues are addressed promptly will weather a Highland gale far better than one that has been neglected. Our seasonal maintenance plans across Inverness, Elgin and the surrounding region are designed exactly with this in mind.
Want a pre season inspection? Kleana Window offers storm preparation checks for homes across the Highlands and Moray. Get in touch and we will give your property a once over before the next named storm arrives.