Storms and the damage they cause are a fact of life, especially here in Florida. It’s not possible to shield your home from all storms. However, preparation and maintenance can help protect your home from unnecessary storm damage. In today’s blog post we will look at 5 steps you can take to keep your home as safe as possible during a storm.
Make Home Repairs to Minimize Storm Damage
The first thing to do is to check your foundation and basement for any cracks. Even a small crack can let in water which will then erode the crack further and become a problem. Fill in any cracks with caulk to prevent water from coming in.
Inspecting your roof for leaks will help prevent a problem during a storm. Make sure you don’t have any loose or missing shingles. A loose or missing shingle can let air flow in. With strong winds from a storm it can allow for more shingles to be ripped off your roof.
Inspect the siding around your house for any cracks or holes. If there is a hole, it will allow water to get in. It can also let wind get underneath which could rip the siding off of your house. If you can’t repair the siding then seal the holes with caulk until you can.
Direct Water Away from Your Home
A common way to direct water away from your home is with a French drain. Over time these can become clogged or allow tree roots to grow through them. Regular maintenance will ensure they do their job during a storm.
Trim Trees for Storm Damage Prevention
During a storm, trees can be a dangerous hazard. Branches can break off and punch holes in the roof or side of your house. If a tree is dead, it might not be strong enough to stand up to serious winds and crash into your home. Trim your trees to keep long branches from damaging your home and remove dead trees as soon as possible.
Trim your trees so there are no hanging branches over your house. Overhanging branches can cause storm damage with high winds. Falling leaves can clog gutters, causing water to overflow. Keeping your gutters clear will help direct water to where you need it to go and prevent flooding.
Bring in Outdoor Furniture and Protect Your Windows
Before a storm hits, bring in all outdoor furniture. Even small toys can break a window with a strong enough wind. Try and anchor anything you can’t bring inside.
If at all possible try to cover your windows with pre-cut plywood. For a more permanent solution, install hurricane shutters to protect your windows.
Update Insurance
Taking all these steps might not prevent storm damage from touching your home. No one can predict Mother Nature and the havoc she can cause on a home. Make sure your insurance will cover flood damage. Take new pictures of your home and make a current list of all valuables.
No matter what precautions you take it is always possible for your home to suffer storm damage. Extreme Carpet Care and Restoration can help assess storm damage and restore your home. We can even work with your insurance company. To learn more about what we can do to help, visit us here.
