People are often surprised at how damaging storms can be. An unexpected storm can easily cause hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. But fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you prepare properly for an incoming storm, you can easily weather it without much issue. In this article, we will outline the seven things you need to do in order to prevent storm damage to your home.
How to prevent storm damage to your home
The thing to understand about storms is that they are usually not so damaging all by themselves. Strong winds and heavy rain usually don’t do much to a decent home. But, what does cause damage is a lack of care towards your home and loss of items near it. If you don’t maintain your home, it won’t be able to handle water properly. And if there are items nearby, the strong winds will likely blow them toward your property.
Repair broken shingles
The first step in protecting your home from heavy storms is to ensure that you have a sturdy roof. While a broken shingle might not be an issue during nice weather, it can cause you considerable trouble during a storm. Know that your roof is only as sturdy as its weakest link. And that a broken or loose shingle can be the weak link that compromises your entire roof. The same goes for loose nails and sheeting. If your roof is in decent condition, it will go through a heavy storm with no issues. But, if there is a flaw, the storm will easily exacerbate it and cause considerable water damage.
Keep gutters clean
Clean gutters are a crucial factor in keeping your roof functional. You must clean them out if you wish to prepare for an incoming storm. Water should flow easily through them, and there shouldn’t be any place where it leaks or accumulates. If there is an issue with your gutters, you want to be aware of it as soon as possible. The extra weight from the rainwater and the strong winds will test the structural integrity of your gutters. So, it is better to try them on your own accord than to let nature do it for you.
Guide water away from your home
This step is necessary if you’ve recently added some structure to your home. Namely, aside from gutters, you must inspect how water flows on your property during heavy rain. It should be evident that water should flow away from your home and not accumulate. If you are courageous, you can wait for the next rainstorm to learn whether this is the case. But, we would advise you against doing so, as it can be quite a costly lesson. While certain water damage can be fixed, it is always better to prevent it from happening in the first place. If the water doesn’t flow as intended, make the necessary alterations.
Trim your trees
The next thing to do is trim down your trees. Dead tree branches will likely fall off due to strong winds. And once they do, they are likely to be blown toward your home. As you can imagine, this can cause considerable damage. So, while preparing for the incoming storm, make sure that you cut down any dead branches. To be on the safer side, also trim those that you feel can get in contact with your home.
Check for nearby debris
Once you’re done with your trees, you must go around your property and check for debris. Any item on your property will become flying debris once the storm comes. Therefore, it is paramount to have a clean, decluttered yard in the eye of an incoming storm. Throw away any garbage you find, and make sure to put away any decorative items. Consider renting a storage unit if you need extra space for excess items. But, whatever you do, don’t leave things around thinking they won’t do much harm.
Make sure that your doors and windows are sealed
Here it would be best if you recognized the difference between closed and sealed. A strong wind can yan out a closed window or a door, especially if the mechanism holding it closed is aged. But, if you go through the trouble of sealing your doors and windows, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you seal them properly, your doors and windows will easily weather heavy storms and keep your home nice and safe.
Consider extra protection measures
Depending on where you live, storms can become quite hectic. Certain regions in the U.S. do experience, especially strong storms, and if you live in Florida, you might want to invest in extra protection measures. Things like:
- Storm shutters.
- Double entry doors.
- Truss bracing.
- Hurricane straps.
These are all viable safety measures to ensure full protection from especially heavy storms.
Final thoughts
Two aspects will help you not only prevent storm damage to your home but also from any other natural disaster: research and experience. As a homeowner, you need to research how people protect their homes. Then it would be best if you grew to understand your home and which of these methods works best. It would be best if you didn’t hesitate to consult with professionals, as a single informative conversation can save you a ton of money. If you live in areas where particular extreme weather is prevalent; you might want to get insurance. All in all, you don’t want to leave yourself dumbfounded and put yourself in the difficult position of having to repair your home after a heavy storm.
