The exceptionally strong El Niño event developing in the Pacific is set to have big implications for UK weather through autumn and winter.
Forecasters are predicting milder, wetter and stormier conditions as a result of the weather phenomenon, particularly from October onwards.
Plumbing sector leader Arctic Hayes by DiversiTech UK is braced for an upsurge of interest in drainage kits, pumps and gauges, leak detection solutions, plus water damage prevention products – with increased rainfall following a very dry summer heightening concerns about excess flash flooding because hard, dry ground absorbs heavy rain less effectively.
A particularly wet, stormy winter will also drive more boiler servicing, emergency call-outs, heating repairs, plus system protection and maintenance work. Extreme weather also brings into increased focus power outages and backup safety measures, along with gas safety issues, carbon monoxide awareness, plus smoke and heat detection.
Lee Parsons, UK Business Unit Director at Arctic Hayes, said: "It's a new challenge for us all, but shouldn't be that surprising, because this unprecedented combination of hotter summers, wetter winters, and more extreme weather variability, affects almost every product category across the plumbing, heating, drainage, ventilation and safety sectors. There's never been a better season to be prepared, stocked up and ready for increased demand.
"Looking forward, the forecasts for the summer of 2027 are much hotter than the one we've just endured, so heat resilience in homes and future-proofing heating systems will be even more important," adds Parsons. "Expect the demand for portable air con units, plus ventilation and water conservation products to be much higher than this year as well."
