It’s spring. Ultimately, springtime means two things: warmer weather and rain. A little bit of rainfall never hurt anybody, but severe storms can damage your home. Damage to your home can be costly and put your own safety at risk. Shattered glass and debris coming in through the window, for example, can cause injuries. Thankfully, several preventive measures can reduce the amount of damage home sustains during a severe storm. In this guide, we’ll go over some ways to get your house ready for storms so that you can keep both yourself and your property safe.
Make Sure Your Roof Is in Top Shape
Keeping your roof, gutters, and downspouts in good condition will save you from a lot of unwanted damage after a severe storm. If there are holes, cracks, and other forms of damage in your roof, it will be easy for water to enter your home and cause water damage or flooding. Ideally, you should have a professional roof repair company inspect and repair any damage before the rainy season starts.
The gutters and downspouts also need some maintenance. A severe storm can fill them up with leaves, asphalt granules, and other debris, leading to clogging. When this happens, water will start to flow over the edges and ruin walls, footings, and more. It’s a good idea to clean out the gutters at the beginning of spring and then again after the first rainfall to remove any debris that might have washed down from the roof.
Secure Your Furniture and Trim Trees
One of the most dangerous aspects of any storm is the wind. The wind can cause objects to start flying. Airborne debris is likely to sustain and cause damage, and if it collides with your home’s exterior, it can destroy the siding, windows, roof, and more. Before a major storm, secure your fences and outdoor furniture and trim down any shrubbery and trees in your yard. These steps will make it harder for the wind to pick these items up and toss them around, which can prevent damage to both the objects in question and the exterior of your home.
Protect Yourself and Your Home’s Interior
Another way to get your house ready for storms is to prepare an emergency kit and take other necessary precautions. A storm can leave you without basic services—electricity, water, gas, or sewage—for several days. An emergency kit will supply you with everything you need to make it through a nasty storm, including food, water, and a radio.
Protecting your home’s exterior from damage is important, and so is protecting yourself. One part of your home many people overlook during storms, however, is the interior. Regardless of whether you live in a high-risk area, consider getting flood insurance. This insurance will allow you to recuperate any funds you lose from water-damaged items and water-related structural problems after a flood.
