A rare red weather warning has been issued ahead of the arrival of Storm Eowyn. High winds and rain have been forecast, leading to school closures and travel warnings.
Winter storms can have drastic and dire consequences on Brits’ gardens. A new poll from Ronseal found that almost half (46 per cent) of Brits neglect to put their garden furniture away resulting in the same amount noticing damage to their garden after a storm or heavy rain.
When asked where the damage hit the specific areas in the garden the most, over four in 10 (42 per cent) admitted their fences suffered the most. And with rain spells and showers predicted to take over the UK, Ronseal’s DIY expert and senior brand manager Jimmy Englezos has revealed how Brits can protect their garden furniture, fences and decking against the weather elements and how to prepare for the next bout of rain or storm.
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He says: “As time-consuming as taking furniture in and out of storage like sheds can be, it’s necessary to keep it safe from high winds and rains. Although some garden furniture can withstand extreme weather, it can be worse for wear when left out, so it’s always best to pop it away before a big storm.
“Rain can affect furniture in different ways depending on the material. Metal garden furniture is prone to rust and corrosion which results in a discoloured, flaky, orange-brown appearance. Corrosion can also cause it to look blue or green. Some signs of water damage in wooden furniture are discolouration, mould growth, warped and a damp, musty smell.”
Five top tips to protect gardens from extreme weather:
1. Secure any flight risk items – Wheely bins and washing lines are all common casualties in extreme weather so make sure these are taken inside if they can’t be secured. Bigger items such as shed roofs and trampolines should be nailed down or moved to an area of the garden with more protection to prevent damage.
2. Scrub wooden furniture with hot soapy water – Before storing, make sure to wipe down wooden furniture with a stiff brush and hot soapy water as it can gather fungal spores. Allow this to dry and to protect it further, oil it with a garden furniture protector. This will make the wood waterproof and help reduce cracking, peeling and discolouration. Pick a warmer day for doing this as it should be applied in temperatures above 10°c with no predicted frost or rainfall.
3. Pack any garden furniture away – When putting these away, focus on the lighter items such as deck and seating chairs that can be picked up in the wind as these can cause more significant issues if they go through a window during extreme weather. Before storing it in a shed or garage it is important to make sure it is dry, otherwise, mould can form on wooden furniture. Storage is preferred, however, if this isn’t an option, use a bungee cord to tie pieces of furniture together and secure them to the garden so they can’t fly away. If there are any items on decking – be sure to pop these away so they don’t cause damage to the wood.
4. Fix any broken fences – Fences can be particularly vulnerable in extreme weather and unsecured ones are at a massive risk of being damaged or blown away. To avoid this, before the strong weather kicks in, conduct fence maintenance checks and look for posts that are wobbly or unsecured – making sure these are removed or replaced. Pop some decorative holes in the fence such as a diamond pattern to cut the wind and put less strain on it and place hedges or tall trees on the upwind side of the fence to create a windbreak.
5. Use a weather-repellent sealant or stain on decking – Sealing the decking with a liquid sealant or decking stain is vital for protecting the wood against harsh weather as it will block moisture from entering the wood. Before applying to the decking, make sure to sweep it with a stiff broom to remove debris, leaves and dirt so it can work into the grooves. Be sure to pick a clear day with temperatures above 10°C and make sure any old treatments have been cleaned off to make the stain as effective as possible.