The weather in the United States has reached a point where it is completely unpredictable and you never know when severe storms will hit your area. Even if you have home insurance, you need to prepare for the worst because who wants to start over after a storm?
Storm-proof homes are essential whether you live in storm-prone areas or have comprehensive home insurance . The first time you feel comfortable buying a new home you are certain that you are prepared for all types of storms, including hurricanes and high winds.
This article contains twelve tips you need to keep your home safe from storms and your loved ones from the elements.
1. Start with the garage
The Federal Alliance for Home Safety estimates that 80% of hurricane and wind damage to homes goes through garage doors. If your garage door is broken, the hurricane strikes your house furiously, opening interior doors, blowing up the roof and destroying all property.
This means that if the garage door is down, your home will no longer protect you from the storm. The garage door is like a hole in your house that everything can be let into when opened. You can't wait before this happens. Therefore, you need to strengthen the system in the house or replace the existing one with a modern one.
Work with an expert to help you choose the high quality, durable garage door that can withstand the high winds that can enter your home. Get the strongest garage door to minimize risk and provide maximum protection.
2. Protect your doors and windows from the storm
Many window and door installers report receiving multiple calls from homeowners for replacements or repairs after a hurricane. It just means that the storm destroyed their homes.
You don't have to wait for this to happen before thinking about installing hurricane-proof windows and doors in your new home. Your doors are a reliable locking system for your home, but if they fail during a storm; Your house will be badly damaged.
You need to make sure your windows and doors are strong enough before you move into your new home. Have an expert do the inspection to see if it can weather a storm.
Have a handyman replace the locks and all of the hinges on your doors and windows. Always make sure they are strong enough and in good condition to provide maximum protection.
3. Clean and secure gutters
Most leaks in the home occur through sewers, and you can't risk living in a new home without knowing your condition. Gutters are the ones that protect your home from leaking, but not when they are clogged with dirt and grime.
Regular inspection and maintenance are essential even if there is no storm. Even if they are in good shape, you need to make sure that they are prepared for strong winds.
To do this, clean and remove any obstructions and debris that could affect the flow of water. You should also inspect loose gutters, properly secure them and protect them from strong winds.
4. Protect your roof from storms
You don't want your home to be among those whose roof was demolished during a hurricane. You don't even want to imagine the harm your family could do if the largest shelter in your home is no longer there.
Hence, a roof is an essential part of your home that you cannot overlook while protecting your home from storms. Inspecting your roof is a must for every home.
Make sure that your roof system is made of solid metal, as this is the strongest material that offers protection from wind speeds of up to 140 km / h. Aluminum, steel, zinc, copper, and tin roofs are the most expensive, but they will last up to 50 years and protect you from the strongest winds.
You can also invest in architectural shingles that will last up to 30 years. They offer maximum protection against winds of up to 130 miles per hour. You can also add bracing like steel hurricane clips that add strength to the house and add extra support to the roof.
5. Don't forget to protect your HVAC system
HVAC is very expensive and the least you want is to be destroyed by a storm. There is no question that hurricanes can cost you thousands of dollars in your HVAC system. However, you can reduce the damage while making sure you are getting the best indoor air quality.
One way to keep your system secure is to use protective cages and straps on the base and on the device. This ensures that the system is not surrounded by dirt or loose objects that could destroy it. Also, remove brushes, leaves, and anything that might surround the object.
You can also hire a professional to help you back up the system and perform any maintenance the system may need. You should also know that power outages are a common occurrence during a storm, and you should prepare for this by making sure you are as cool as possible. Consider having a standby generator expect the same.
6. Make sure the house meets building and design codes.
When moving into a new home, you may want to make changes to suit your needs and preferences. It also means protecting the home from storms and making sure it is strong enough to withstand the elements. As you do all of this, you need to make sure that you continue to comply with residential design and building codes .
Make sure you are up to date on all building codes for building and structuring your home. Check everything, including the installation of impact windows, the fastening of the roof tiles, and the strength of the tiles, walls, and ceilings. Talk to a building contractor as they are always aware of the building regulations.
7. Make the necessary structural updates
When moving to a new home, you need to make sure that your home is stronger than normal winds, snowfalls, and hurricanes. Some builders build houses without permission; Hence, they may not be able to survive storms. If you blindly move into houses like this, your family is in danger.
If you find that your shelves, freestanding garages, and garden blinds are not strong enough to weather the storm, start upgrading before extreme weather conditions hit you. You need to do everything possible to ensure that every room in your home can weather the season.
Do not hesitate to build new structures if it means protecting your family and property. Even if this means the base needs to be rebuilt, you need to make sure that everything is going right. Also, consider installing ground stakes to protect your home from lightning strikes, which can cause failure and damage to your electrical equipment.
8. Storm-proof houses with water barrier
Storm damage is not only associated with wind damage, but also with water damage. However, this won't happen if you do everything possible to make sure your home is protected by a water barrier. You must not let water or moisture get into your home as this can cause mold to grow.
A water stop is a material that is placed on the roof just below the exterior cladding. The barrier acts as a second leak protection in the event your roof fails. Stain or paint structures can also be helpful in protecting your home from leaks or moisture damage from the roof.
Always check all hazardous areas to prevent water, sandstorms, or hail from entering. Remember that even a little moisture can do a lot of damage. Hence, you cannot take anything for granted. You can install a temporary water barrier yourself or hire a professional for better protection.
9. Consider protecting homes from storms by pruning trees.
Beautiful trees may seem harmless in other times of the year, but they become one of the biggest risk factors during a storm. In fact, trees are the cause of very severe damage to homes in high winds and rainy seasons. Branches can easily come out and hit your roof during a storm.
If the wind is extremely strong, the entire tree can be felled and damage your home if it falls in your direction. You should check trees with weak branches or loose root systems and do whatever is necessary before they fall on homes. Make sure there are no trees near the house or branches on the roof.
10. Clean up and order your garden
You should tidy up your yard to make sure no debris or objects are blown away by the wind hitting your home during the process. When storms come, there are various objects in flight including toys, building materials, furniture, etc. These items can damage your home or be damaged if they are still valuable.
You need to keep your yard clean to avoid hurricanes and tornadoes. Do not wait for the wind because until then it will be very difficult to clean.
Even after you've cleaned your entire yard and removed all loose objects, flying objects can come in from outside your home. You may also want to install hurricane shutters for additional protection. These are hurricane protection devices that you can use to block objects in flight and thus protect your home and family.
11. Prepare an emergency kit
Even after you've protected your home from storms and made sure everything is in order, all hell can break loose. You cannot predict the size of a storm, so it is best to be prepared for anything. You need to supply your home with all emergency supplies before a storm.
You need food, medicine, and enough water to keep your family alive in an emergency. Make sure you have canned food with you. Have extra power, including flashlights and candles, in the event of an unexpected power outage.
Don't forget about injury first aid supplies or pain relievers if a family member needs them. Make sure all family members are looked after, including the elderly, children, and pets. You will also need to prepare for evacuation in case things get out of hand and you can no longer seek shelter around the house.
12. Think about other neglected areas
Keeping your home safe from storms can be very difficult, especially if you've recently moved to a new area without a clue about the weather. You don't know what to expect and you can't identify the areas that you haven't covered. It's good to have a list of all the areas and items that need storm protection so you don't forget anything.
For example, if lighting is required, consider securing the fireplace. Prepare the fireplace as it can be used as an alternative heating method. You can also invest in daylight lights that can capture sunlight from the ceiling into your home.
Just before the storm, thoroughly inspect your roof for loose shingles, moss, or cracked shingles. Check the attic again to make sure no animals, light, or stains get in. Don't leave a stone untouched, because even the slightest damage can mean disaster if the storm hits.
Do not wait for the storm
If you've just moved into a new home, you don't know what can happen and you don't want to put your family at risk. The best thing you can do for your family is to protect the homes early on. It can also save you money that would have been used to restore your home after a storm.
Of course, you need the services of a professional to make sure your home is ready for a storm and is home to your entire family. Once everything is done, you can now look forward to the weather with confidence.
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