As the horrors of climate change are closing in on us every passing year, natural disasters are becoming more frequent. Rainfall storms can perpetrate huge damages not only to your house but to your financial security too.
So, it would be best if you took charge, especially against cyclones and tornadoes. Then, if you invest rightly, your house will get safer and can act as the perfect shelter from the storm.
So follow these five steps to give yourself a better chance to protect your house and your family.
1.The roof is the key.
The roof of your home is the most significant defense against severe weather.
You can consider Aluminum guttering. It doesn’t let rainwater clog your roof and bring about moisture damage.
Make sure to replace every damaged or missing shingle. Every crack, every gap can become destructive. You’ll be in serious trouble if the hailing winds get under the roof.
You can call up professional roofers who can identify the issues that may disbalance the integrity of your house (e.g., leaks).
And then, eliminate them one by one, John Wick style.
2.Proper drainage
With thunderstorms comes rainwater—a lot of it.
It would be best if you planned your drainage so that your house doesn’t get flooded easily or the torrential amount of rain doesn’t cause any severe damage to the property.
Keep your gutters free to flow so that downpours don’t accumulate much around the foundation.
Ensure the water gets away from your lot and ends up in a ditch, a drain, or any proper area for retention. On that front, stormwater pits can be a massive shot in the arm.
You can consider having a sump pump if you need more protection or live in a storm-heavy area.
3.Trim the trees
If your property has many trees, you need to be aware of them before a storm hits the house.
Problematic tree limbs can get uprooted, or the branches may fall and cause damage to your home, your car, and even your neighbor’s home.
Regular trimming of the trees can be an excellent way to protect your roof and windows. You can also consider pruning. That will render preventive care to the trees from severe storms.
4.Batten down the hatches, “A storm is coming”
Ensure that the doors and windows are properly sealed before any storm rips them apart.
The howling winds will only need one small opening, which will be enough to wreak havoc on your home. After that, the upward pressure may blow the roof off, and once the roof’s gone, the walls will eventually crumble.
Storm shutters can provide an efficient cover from storm winds and hurricane debris. It will also protect the glass windows, as broken glass can be fatal.
Generally, these hurricane shutters are made of aluminum and steel. But plywood can also be used as a cheaper alternative.
Before the storm, nail down every weak portion, such as fence posts. Ignore them at your peril because they can become a mighty burden when the storm stops.
5.Walk the line
Not everybody has the sufficient time or the required skills to repair everything independently.
But, if you know about an incoming storm, you can always take basic precautions. These will ultimately minimize the loss. Just walk around your property before the storms and look for any vulnerability that can be fixed.
Lawn furniture and flower pots can turn into projectiles from the heavy winds. So move those things indoors. Check for the pipes and drains, whether they’re empty or not. Put plaster on small cracks or dents.
These small things may turn out to be life-altering.
6.Electrical backup system
The first thing that’ll go missing during and after a storm is the electricity. The lines get cut due to a plethora of reasons, such as fallen trees, lightning strikes, or blown-up transformers.
Even short circuits or unreliable voltages can damage many household appliances. You can install surge protectors for any unexpected behavior of voltages.
That’s why you should invest in a backup power system. A generator generally gets the job done. And if you have big electric SUVs or trucks, they can even provide backup for a few days.
CONCLUSION
Always put your family first. House or other possessions can be replaced. But, unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to your family.
These storms bring about a lot of uncertainty, so focus on yourself and your loved ones.
Plan everything, from a safe location to how you’ll fight the calamity. And that may very well guide you to safety.
GAG Staff