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The past couple of years have seen a marked rise in the number of severe storms hitting the UK and the rest of the world. The Met Office identified Storms Babet, Ciarán, Henk and Isha as those which caused most damage to the UK, leading to severe floods, power cuts, and damage to crops – and gardens. But what should you do if you were unlucky enough to be one of those affected?
ASAP Clearances offer garden clearance services in Hampstead, Barnet, and other parts of North London and Hertfordshire; here we look at why it’s always a good idea to call in the experts after a major weather event.
For Fence Panels
Fence panels can be among the most vulnerable items in the garden, however strongly they are secured. If they suffer severe damage after a storm or period of bad weather, it may be better to replace them outright rather than try to repair them – but then there’s the problem of how to dispose of them.
They probably won’t fit in your waste bin if they are 6’ by 4’ (or a similar standard size) and it can be difficult to break them up. The same applies if you want to take them to the local household waste site; you may not be able to break them up and fit them in the car boot or the rear of the vehicle to transport them.
We’re perfectly positioned to help you dispose of all garden waste items, including fence panels, big or small.
For Fallen Trees
Fallen trees and branches can also be difficult to dispose of – again the amount (and size) of debris is an issue – you will struggle to get this into your bin or down the local waste site for disposal.
Storms can lead to broken branches and affect the structural integrity of the tree – if the main trunk is split, or there are signs of decay, such as fungus growing on the bark or exposed roots, it may be worth removing the tree completely.
If there are any branches in dangerous positions, such as close to your house or near power lines then always make sure to deal with those first. When it comes to remove trees and branches which have not yet fallen, it may be worthwhile calling in a professional tree surgeon who will be more experience of the dangers and be used to working at height.
At ASAP Clearances, we can also get rid of smaller plants (shrubs etc) and don’t mind doing some weeding as well if you fancy a complete reset in your garden!
For Greenhouses and Sheds
The glass in greenhouses and shed can easily shatter during storms, even if you have been careful enough to position your greenhouse out of prevailing winds (or have put a fence or hedge up afterwards to shelter it).
At ASAP Clearances we can dispose of all the glass, and anything that’s left inside – you aren't supposed to put broken glass into any waste bin anyway, and you may not have a glass bank nearby.
Equally, if your garden shed has been damaged, we can also clear everything up – including disposing of any garden tools (including lawn mowers), furniture, and other items such as trampolines and hot tubs.
As a sustainability-first business, if we think anything can be recycled, we will gladly find it a new home.
Check The Insurance Position
Before you call us in, it may be worth checking on the insurance position first, particularly in the case of fallen trees.
Sometimes it won’t even be your own tree that’s the problem – it could be your neighbour’s, or a tree from a public area which is owned by the local council. In cases such as this, you’ll still need to make a claim on your own home insurance (policies only cover the homeowner’s own property) and ask them to contribute by paying for the excess, or (in the case of the local council) removing the tree entirely.
Remember a storm (according to the Association of British Insurers) is defined as:
- Wind gusting at 55mph or higher.
- Torrential rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm per hour.
- Snow to a depth of at least one foot (30 cm) in 24 hours.
- Hail which damages hard surfaces or breaks glass.
Garden Clearance in Hampstead and North London from ASAP Clearances
If you would like to know more about our garden clearance services, follow this link.
Remember we also offer home clearing across North London and Hertfordshire as well and would be happy to include the garden as part of the package. If you would like to know more about any of our services, click here and fill in the online form, or call us 020 3475 0508.