No matter where you live, there’s always the threat of natural disasters and potential weather-related damage to your home. To give yourself peace of mind and protect the place you’ve invested so much in, there are actions you can take to prevent serious damage from whatever type of hazards you may face.
Flooding
Flooding can occur for many reasons, including natural disasters like hurricanes or simply a higher-than-average amount of precipitation, especially if you live on a floodplain. Some home flood prevention methods are to fill in any gaps in your foundation and use sealants along the walls, doors and windows in your home. You can also install foundation vents, which allow water to flow through your home, or use a sump pump, which prevents flooding from getting worse by pumping the water in your home outside. However, if you continuously deal with flooding, consider raising your house on stilts so it’s above the flood level.
High Winds
Whether from tornadoes, hurricanes or severe thunderstorms, wind damage is very common. The parts of your home most vulnerable to wind damage are the windows, roof and garage. Storm shutters are especially popular in regions susceptible to hurricanes as they cover the windows from the outside, preventing them from shattering if they get hit by an object or are blown out by a strong gust. To protect your roof and garage, just make sure they’re sturdy and nail down any loose shingles, and get a contractor’s help if there are structural problems.
Earthquakes
Earthquake damage can quickly become dangerous, so it’s important to make your home as safe as possible if you live in an area prone to this kind of natural disaster. To prevent structural issues, make sure your home is anchored to the foundation and fix any existing problems such as cracking. There are other ways to reinforce your home’s structure such as bracing the cripple wall and chimneys. You can also make changes to the items within your home to prevent damage by securing items such as the water heater, bookcases and large appliances to the walls.
Natural disasters and inclement weather can be unpredictable, which is what makes them so dangerous. To prepare yourself and protect your home against serious damage from these hazards, take the time to understand the threats in your region and whether the current state of your house could stand up to them. Then you can take the necessary preventive actions to keep your home safe.
