Storm Otto! Protect your garden

Storm Otto! Essential tips to protect your garden 

As wind speeds are expected to hit 80mph, experts offer vital advice

With Storm Otto lashing parts of the UK this morning with gales of up to 80mph the Met Office have issued a “danger to life” yellow weather warning. It’s more important than ever to protect your garden and its contents. 

With a yellow warning issued for winds up to 100mph, securing the garden and making sure that your garden shed, and other property left outside is essential. According to Compare the Market, repair bills from storm damage cost consumers an average amount of almost £3,500. 

Jack Sutcliffe, founder of Yorkshire-based shed manufacturer, Power Sheds, has unveiled his five tips to help avoid costly damage to your garden property. 

1.     Seal any holes 

Inspect the roof of your shed or garden building, floor any corners for holes and gaps that may have formed over time. If you find any, get them sealed up. Windows also need to be well sealed to stop any moisture getting in and to protect the shed from condensation.   

2.     Check the roof 

The roof is one of the most exposed parts of the shed and the part that’s most liable to damage in the event of high winds. Before bad weather hits, check that all roof felt is still nailed down securely and replace any nails that may have come free. 

3.     Keep things contained 

Make sure all your organic contents are well stored and sealed. Soil, seeds, pet food should all be stored in waterproof containers or bags in case of water ingress. 

4.     Tie down large objects or move to cover 

Any large items, such as garden furniture, swings or trampolines, should be secured to the ground and/or moved into an area of the garden where they’ll have some sort of cover from the elements. This will save damage to both the objects and any property they may collide with. 

5.     Secure planters beforehand 

During a storm, potted plants must be placed safely in the house, garage or shed. Planters that are too heavy should be moved close together and close to the wall to protect them from the elements. If you have very tall plants, try placing these on their side and interlocking them with others to protect them. 

Jack Sutcliffe, Co-founder of Power Sheds, also commented: 

“Storms can wreak havoc on a garden if we’re not properly prepared for them. With wind speeds expected to get up to 100mph in some places, storms like this can represent a big danger to our gardens – especially the shed. Once a storm is in full swing it can be difficult, not to mention dangerous and often too late, to do running repairs. For this reason, we’d recommend getting prepared in the days before and minimising the risk of damage to your garden.” 

To find out more about Power Sheds, visit: https://www.powersheds.com/