Tip of the Month (from NCT website)
From power cuts to leaking roofs, there are a lot of ways that storms can impact your church. Each year, communities across the UK are devastated by
extreme weather events, and during the autumn, storms will become more frequent. While some of the effects are sadly unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to help protect your church in the event of a storm:
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Regular maintenance – throughout the year, you can keep your building in good shape by performing regular maintenance. Tasks like checking windows will help you spot and fix problems early, while keeping gutters and pipes clear will ensure that they work effectively during a downpour.
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Secure the building – if you're expecting a storm, secure parts of the building that could be at risk. Outside, you should take down signs, move bins and secure benches, to prevent them from causing damage. Make sure doors are closed and locked and put up temporary boarding behind vulnerable windows.
- Coping with the consequences – even with the right preparation, a storm could damage your church. Once it’s safe, check your building thoroughly for any damage. This could include slipped roof tiles and signs of damp inside. It’s important to document and photograph any damage that you do find, so you can report it to your insurer.
Ecclesiastical Insurance has further guidance on church storm safety here
Article reposted from National Churches Trust website. The picture is of St Mary the Virgin, Snead, which has just completed emergency repairs to its roof, which was damaged in a storm. Thanks go to Hereford Diocese and Shropshire Historic Churches Trust for their grants.