Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Storms approach at the most unexpected times. It is important to take precautions annually to reduce the risk of damage to your home.
Otherwise, you could be looking at expensive repair costs, such as siding replacement and repairing water damage inside your home.
You can protect your home from storm damage by keeping your gutters clean, sealing your home’s foundation, repairing the roof and siding and checking for diseased or dead trees. Let’s take a closer look at each step to properly protect your home.
Cleaning your gutters is always a great first step. While certainly not the most fun thing in the world, leaving your gutters clogged with leaves and debris can lead to flooding around your home’s foundation and subsequent damage over time.
If you can safely do so, then be sure to do the dirty work and clean the gutters. If you cannot safely access your roof, then a professional may be able to do it for you during their annual maintenance.
Check your home’s foundation for any gaps there may be. If left unresolved, they can lead to water seeping into your home during a bad storm and cause costly interior water damage.
It is also important to check the doors and windows and ensure they are adequately sealed as well. Not only can water enter through cracks and gaps in doors and windows, but it can also increase your energy costs as well.
An annual inspection can also allow you to identify any damaged shingles or issues with your home’s siding. If not repaired, minor concerns can become serious problems during a storm, particularly if any shingles or siding break off, leaving your home vulnerable to strong winds and water damage.
From a financial perspective, the cost of preventive maintenance is well worth it when weighed against the cost of repairing severe damage to your siding or water damage.
This is a crucial tip, yet one that is often overlooked. Trees that are diseased or dead are vulnerable during storms.
A tree that falls over during a storm can crush part of your home, lead to power outages, etc.
A professional contractor can inspect the trees in your yard for you and make a recommendation if any of them need to be removed or trimmed back.
It is better to take preventive measures rather than fix roof issues after they worsen. If there are vulnerable parts of your roof, then they can become hazards during bad storms.
An annual roof inspection can ensure any issues are detected as early as possible. The contractor can also service the roof if necessary to prevent any issues from worsening.
Creative landscaping designs can strategically guide water away from your home. When it comes to landscaping design, gravity is your best friend.
Guide the water away from your home’s foundation by creating a quarter-inch (or more) downslope from your foundation. This downslope may occur naturally. Otherwise, you will have to add soil.
Find the safest rooms in your home before a storm comes. This allows you to plan for emergencies. Ideally, you want to choose rooms that do not have windows, if possible.
You want to choose the lowest level of your home as well, so either the basement or first floor. Make sure all family members know where to go if a storm occurs abruptly.
Once a severe thunderstorm, tornado or hurricane is on its way, there is only so much that you can do. Subsequently, it is best to plan in advance for incoming storms. Several key steps to take when a storm is on its way include:
Of course, the expected severity of the storm should dictate the measures you take. You may not need to shut off utilities for minor storms.
Once the storm approaches, be sure every family member is in the safest room in the house.
Have your emergency kit nearby with flashlights, batteries, etc. Be sure to pack fun things to do as well, such as books and board games.
An annual inspection from a professional is important to ensure you do not miss any potential hazards. Reach out to our team at monumental contractors today to receive an inspection and ensure your home is as protected as possible and able to resist storm damage.
.png)
