Housing developers will not repair the Bristol homes with snow in their lofts because the bad weather brought by Storm Emma is considered an “extreme eventuality”. Some residents have asked Barratt Homes and Redrow to repair the damage to their homes after snow managed to access their lofts. In one house, huge piles of snow discovered in a loft were enough to fill an entire bathtub. But the two housing developers have distanced themselves from the issue – meaning affected residents will have to pay for their own repairs. Russell Glimstead, managing director of Barratt Homes in Bristol, said: “We sincerely apologise that this has occurred and for any associated inconvenience but this is a temporary condition based on the severity of recent weather conditions. “The extreme wind and fineness of the snow meant that snow has made its way through vents into the roofs. The vents are installed in order to comply with building regulations and as such the homes affected by the snow were not defective in any way. “We can also confirm no defect with the garage. As per NHBC guidelines, our garages are constructed from a single leak masonry, such as brickwork or blockwork approximately 100mmn thick, and will not be impervious to wind driven rain, snow and consequently could become damp. Garages are designed for storage space for motor vehicles and not for personal possessions. “Therefore, under these circumstances it is with regret that we are unable to take any further action regarding this issue.” Matt Grayson, a spokesperson for Redrow, issued a similar statement – referring to the recent snowfall as an “extreme eventuality”. “Lofts in modern homes are designed to act as home ventilators and to eradicate moisture and condensation issues,” he said. “The very unusual combination of fine snow and high winds, which was focused on the South West and Wales, has caused some snow to enter roof spaces via these ventilation points. “Industry standards and building regulations have been developed over many years to ensure the longevity of homes, but unfortunately can’t account for all extreme eventualities. “On that basis, this type of incident falls outside our warranty provision. However, we’re continuing to engage with customers and are offering any practical advice where we can.”
Bristol-based homes built by Barratt Homes and Redrow will not be repaired by the homebuilders following damage caused by Storm Emma. Both groups issued similar statements, referring to the incident, which saw piles of snow accumulate in some people's lofts, an “extreme eventuality” that falls outside their warranty provision.