How to Protect Your Home from Bad Weather
Our tips can help you avoid property damage and save you money.
No matter the season or where you live, you will likely experience a serious storm of one kind or another. This is especially worrisome for homeowners, as property damage caused by inclement weather can be devastating—and expensive. Homeowners insurance not only covers damage to the structure of your home, but it can also cover damage to its contents. So what else can you do to safeguard your home from storms?
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Flooding
According to FEMA, flooding is the most common and costly disaster in America and can occur in any state. To prepare for floods, try the following:
- Improve lot grading. Figure out where and how water accumulates or flows around your home to identify potential trouble spots during your next rainstorm. Storm water always needs to drain away from the building, so you may have to build up any sunken areas around your foundation or dig small grooves to properly channel water runoff away from the house.
- Maintain proper water runoff and drainage. Make a routine of maintaining your gutters, splashpads, and downspouts so rainwater from your roof flows away from your home. Also be sure to clear debris from any nearby drainage ditches or storm drains.
- Reduce impervious surfaces around your home. Retaining and creating natural green space around your home, like rain gardens or vegetated swales, can help decrease the chance of sewer overflows by reducing stormwater runoff. Water is known to flow down concrete and asphalt almost immediately and can far exceed the capacity of storm sewers during heavy rains.
Winds
High winds from tornados, hurricanes, or other powerful storms have the potential to cause significant damage to your home.
- Inspect your siding. You should periodically examine your siding and repair any deterioration or missing pieces. Re-seal siding around doors, windows, the dryer vent, and areas where wires and waterlines enter the home.
- Check your roof. Take a look at your roof at least once or twice a year and replace any loose or missing tiles. Be sure to check your attic space for any water or sunlight leaks, especially where wiring enters, and seal any openings. Be sure to clear your gutters and downspouts—and make sure they’re securely attached to your home.
- Eliminate projectiles and loss of outdoor items. If you know you’re in for strong winds, don’t forget to remove or secure all outside items, like lawn furniture, grills, or yardwork tools that could be carried by strong gusts and become projectiles that could cause damage. It’s also wise to trim any dead or overhanging tree branches.
Hail
- Check your roof. Again. Hailstorms have been known to come out of nowhere and leave significant damage behind. Roofs tend to have a lifespan of 20-25 years, so if it’s been more than that since yours has been replaced, you should consider having it redone.
- Keep curtains closed. Be sure to keep any blinds, shades, or drapes closed to prevent broken glass from flying through your home.
- Install shutters. The most effective way to protect your windows, skylights, and glass doors from hail damage is with shutters. There are various options, from permanent systems that roll over windows to temporary panels that are removed when not in use.
No matter the type of bad weather you might face, an essential form of protection is sufficient Homeowners insurance.