With summer here, your thoughts might be focused on vacation, time off work, and fun in the sun. But there’s something else that we should all put some effort into – preventing storm damage from summer thunderstorms. Strong winds and heavy rains can wreak havoc on your house, but you can outsmart Mother Nature with the following tips.
How to prevent storm damage to your home:
1. Clean your gutters.
Okay, gutters and downspouts are gross. We get that. There are soggy leaves and dirt in there. But the thing is that the grossness can block the water that needs to run off your roof during a storm. If the water builds up, it can settle around your roof and house, which isn’t good. That can cause water damage to your home.
So, even though this might not be your favorite chore, cleaning the gutters should definitely be on your summer home maintenance checklist.
2. Inspect the foundation of your home.
If there are any gaps or cracks in your house’s foundation, water could seep into your home during a heavy rain and cause major water damage. Water is crafty and will find entry points. Repair any cracks you find and call a professional if you need backup.
Also, don’t forget to check the sealing on your windows and doors. This is another place where water might sneak in.
3. Check your yard for dead or diseased trees.
This is a big one for preventing storm maintenance. You may want to call in a trustworthy tree expert to check your yard for dangerous trees.
How can a tree be dangerous?
Well, if the tree is dead, hollowed, or diseased, it may not be able to stand up to the strong winds and rains of a summer storm. Meaning that you may end up with a tree crashing into your house…which is not good. Fortunately, home insurance typically covers falling trees, but it’s best just to get the unsafe trees removed so they don’t put anyone in danger. Or smash your home.
4. Secure furniture that could fall.
If you’ve got heavy, tall furniture that could fall, such as bookshelves or cabinets, make sure to anchor them to the wall so they’re secure and won’t fall. Also, move furniture away from the doors or windows.
5. Have your roof inspected every year.
It’s important to have your roof inspected and maintained each year. This will help you catch any issues and correct them before they get too serious. It’s best to fortify and strengthen your roof so it’s ready to take the walloping of a summer storm. Roof maintenance can even help you save money on your home insurance rates.
6. Think about your landscaping.
Having creative landscaping designed to guide water away from your home’s foundation can help prevent flooding in your home.
It’s important that the ground slopes away from your house. There should be a slope of a quarter-inch per foot heading downhill away from your home’s foundation. If you need to, add some soil to create this grade. Take advantage of gravity to pull the water away from the house and prevent summer storm damage.
7. Pack up outdoor furniture.
Here’s the deal:
Your patio table and chairs look great. But in a storm, they can get turned into missiles if they get picked up by a strong gust of wind. And then they can get thrown right into your house. Ouch.
Anyways, be sure to pack up all your outdoor furniture and decorations to prevent that from happening. Avoid the chair-smashes-a-window scenario and spare yourself the headache of dealing with the storm damage.
8. Know how to shut off your utilities.
If the weather gets really severe, you may need to turn off your utilities. Know how to do this ahead of time so you’re not guessing and saying “umm” a lot when a storm hits.
9. Unplug electronics.
You can protect your electronics by unplugging them before a storm hits. You don’t want your TV or computer to get fried.
10. Identify safe rooms in your home.
It’s a good idea to take some time to consider what the safest rooms in your home are. Ideally, you would pick an interior room with no windows. If there’s a tornado watch or warning, you’ll want to be in an interior room in the basement or lowest level of the house.
Make sure everyone in your family knows the plan and where they should shelter in the house.
11. Shutter your windows.
Close the shutters and secure the doors. If you don’t have shutters on your windows, close any blinds or curtains you have.
12. Create a disaster kit.
A disaster kit can really help your family if you have to weather a severe storm. Think about what to include in a disaster kit for your family, make a list, and assemble your kit.
13. Watch the weather.
Be sure to keep an eye on the weather by listening to the radio, watching TV, or getting weather alerts on your phone. Find out how your community communicates a weather emergency and heed their warnings.
Remember:
A severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are perfect for a big storm. A bad storm could be imminent.
A severe thunderstorm warning means that there is a severe storm in your area and you need to shelter immediately.
Protect your home from fires. Get a quick homeowners insurance quote today.
The summer is prime time for huge storms. So, it’s probably a good idea to take some time to prepare your house so you can prevent storm damage. Your house is a major investment, and by taking a few simple steps you can protect it from storm damage. Don’t put it off – be sure to prepare your home before the summer storms hit.
Do you want to get multiple home insurance quotes? We would be happy to help with that. Our team can shop your rates so you can get the best home insurance at the best price. To get in touch with us and to get started with your home insurance quotes, all you have to do is fill out our online form or give us a call.
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