How to protect your home from heavy rain and storms: tips for the whole summer

At the beginning of June, storms swept through Lithuania one after another: in Kaunas, the wind tore off roofs and uprooted trees, and several tornadoes raged throughout the country. The most damage to residents' property occurred in Kaunas district and Kazlų Rūda municipality - "Lietuvos draudimas" reserved an amount approaching 200 thousand euros to compensate for the consequences of this storm alone. And this is probably not the last time this summer: meteorologists predict one of the most turbulent summers in recent years - with sudden downpours, thunderstorms, squalls and dangerous winds

The good news is that most damage can be prevented with simple measures. This article will show you what to do now and what to keep in mind throughout the summer to prevent a rainstorm or storm from causing costly repairs to your home.

Natural phenomena still seem like rare exceptions to many, but insurers' data shows otherwise. According to statistics from "Lietuvos draudimas", losses due to natural forces are rapidly increasing - both in number and size: if previously up to 2 million euros in damages due to natural phenomena were recorded throughout the year, today losses of a similar scale can occur in just one weekend. For example, a storm that swept through Lithuania in August 2023 caused almost 10 million euros in losses to residents in one weekend.

The most important thing is that the greatest risk falls on the houses of the residents: according to "Lietuvos draudimas", even two out of three cases, individual residential houses are affected by the elements.

So it's worth preparing not "someday", but now, without waiting for the next downpour.

Insurance experts list the most common consequences of summer weather — it's worth knowing what to watch out for:

• The wind breaks trees and overturns things left in the yard: outdoor furniture, umbrellas, barbecues, gazebos, trampolines.
• Roofs and walls of buildings are damaged, windows, greenhouses, and solar power plants are broken.
• Water seeps through leaky building joints and roof cracks, flooding property and household appliances.
• Lightning causes voltage fluctuations that damage electronics, televisions, modems, and household appliances.

Roof and gutters

• Clean your gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris — when clogged, they force water over the edges to the foundation and under the roof.
• Inspect the roofing: damaged or loose tiles and sheets let water in during rain and are the first to be torn off during a storm.

Basement and basement

• Check that the basement windows and ventilation openings are well sealed.
• Check that the basement windows and ventilation openings are well sealed.
• If your basement floods from time to time, consider a sump pump.

Environment around the house

• Make sure that the ground surface near the house slopes outward, not toward the foundation.
• Check that the rainwater collection and drainage system directs water away from the building.
• Trim any tree branches that are growing close to your home or that are damaged — a tree falling during a storm is one of the most common causes of serious damage.

Just before the storm

• Bring outdoor furniture, trampolines, umbrellas, and trash cans inside or secure them — strong winds can not only damage them, but also damage the building and break windows.
• Close windows, skylights, and greenhouse vents.

Electronics and lightning

• Connect expensive appliances to surge protectors or unplug them during a storm. Lightning strikes often damage appliances, electronics, and alarm systems.

If you are going on vacation

• During the summer, homes often remain empty for weeks at a time. Before you leave, turn off the main water valve, unplug unnecessary appliances, and ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home after a heavy rain.

Prevention greatly reduces risk, but some things don't stop them — you can't prevent a tornado, lightning, or flash flood just by cleaning your gutters. That's where home insurance comes in: it covers losses when your home is damaged by a flood, storm, lightning, or other natural disaster.

However, a portion of the population remains without protection — a survey by Lietuvos Draudimas showed that 28 percent of people who own their own homes do not have home insurance. If you don't have protection yet or are not sure what your policy covers, it is worth comparing home insurance offers from several insurers — this way you will immediately see what is covered and how much it costs.

• Take care of your safety first and, if necessary, call emergency services; if you can, try to minimize further damage.
• Document the damage with photos and videos before you start cleaning.
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible for compensation.
• Do not dispose of damaged items until the insurer has inspected them or given consent.

For those who have a policy, such damage is usually compensated; for those who do not, it is often an expensive lesson. Protecting yourself is easier than it seems: you can compare and purchase home insurance quotes online.

• Rainstorms and storms are becoming more frequent in Lithuania, and damage to property is also increasing.
• Most losses can be avoided by taking simple preventive measures: clean gutters, a tidy roof, a sealed basement, secured outdoor items, and surge protection.
• What prevention doesn't stop, home insurance covers — check your protection now.