More than just an inconvenience, the aftereffects of bad weather can be devastating in more ways than one. For example, in 2018, “homeowners spent $14 billion on disaster-related repairs, which was a 23% increase from the $11.4 billion spent in 2017.”
As a result, if you live in an area that is particularly prone to adverse weather conditions, such as storms, floods, or hurricanes, you must take extra steps to protect your home from damage.
While you should not adopt a negative mindset, it’s better to act on the assumption that you could experience a storm at some point in the year. Preventative measures will work to reduce the amount of damage caused to your property.
With that in mind, here are some simple ways in which you can protect your home from different kinds of damage.
Hurricane Damage
- Install Hurricane Windows. Installing Hurricane Windows in your home is a great way to limit any damage caused by hurricanes. This is because (as their name suggests) they are built to withstand strong winds and gales, reducing the chances of them blowing in during a storm. They’re also shatter-resistant, which means they shouldn’t be damaged by flying debris either.
- Tie-down outdoor furniture. Outdoor or patio furniture, such as tables, chairs, and even items such as trampolines, can easily be picked up by strong gusts of wind. This can not only damage your furniture but could cause considerable damage to your home should it be thrown toward it. As such, you must tie down and secure outdoor furniture, using strong ropes or bungee cords. Where possible, you should try to bring anything that isn’t secured into your home.
Flood/Water Damage
- Fill any cracks in your roof. It’s easy for roof tiles or shingles to sustain damage over time – for example, should you have a large amount of moss on your roof, this can trap moisture in the tiles causing them to rot and fall away. These minor issues themselves can cause issues within your home. For example, they may allow cold to enter your property, meaning you find it hard to keep your home warm and cozy in winter. They may also provide an entryway for pests. However, they act as a point of vulnerability during a storm, as it means your roof may be more likely to collapse or cave in, leading to extensive flooding or water damage. As such, you should carry out regular inspections of your roof and repair issues as soon as they prevent themselves.
- Elevate appliances. There are many steps you can take to reduce the chances of flood water entering your home, such as blocking the path of the water with drainage systems. However, you may also want to take precautions and elevate your kitchen appliances where possible. This is because (as you already know) electricity and water do not mix, and short circuits caused by flood damages present a significant fire and safety risk. Elevating your appliances also reduces the chances of them being damaged in the flood.
