Being a homeowner comes with many benefits. Your mortgage rate is likely to be lower than if you were renting, and you get to make all the renovations you want. The only downside is that you must pay for any repair and maintenance work yourself. This factor isn’t too much of an issue for most people. However, you may need to be extra diligent if you live in a part of the world that experiences adverse weather effects.
Storm damage, frost, and even extreme temperatures can cause unexpected damage to occur to your home. This damage can be expensive to fix and may even impact your quality of life. Therefore, you should protect yourself using the following advice.
Cut Back Your Trees
Garden foliage can provide you with a nice view as you draw the curtains in the morning, and this plant life usually takes care of itself throughout the year. Unfortunately, large trees can prove to be dangerous during a harsh storm or hurricane.
You do not have to uproot the trees surrounding your property if you live in a particularly stormy area. However, it is necessary to keep on top of their growth. The last thing you want to find after a storm is a tree branch through your window, so cut them back regularly so the wind has nothing to get hold of next time.
Seal Any Cracks In Your Brickwork
When a storm hits it is usually accompanied by strong lashings of rain. If this rain falls for more than a day, then you are already at risk of flooding. However, this water can still find its way into your home long before this point.
Keep an eye out for any damage caused by previous storms or frost as these events can leave cracks in your home’s brickwork. While these shouldn’t pose too much of an issue throughout the year, one strong storm could exacerbate the situation, allowing for rainwater to enter your home. A leak like this is less than ideal, and these cracks in the bricks are easy enough to repair.
Check Your Roof
The most susceptible part of your home when it comes to weather effects is your roof. Your roof has to remain strong during all sorts of problems, but it doesn’t take long for one of your roof tiles to slip. A damaged roof can cause leaks inside your home or dampness to form in your attic. Unfortunately, dampness can lead to mold.
You can prevent these issues by checking your roof regularly to ensure that nothing has been pushed out of the joint. Alternatively, you could replace your roof with corrugated roofing. This type of material is less susceptible to leaks and is much stronger against harsh winds or rain.
Fix Your Gutters
The guttering around your home is used to drain excess water away from your home. As you can imagine, these structures are paramount during a freak storm. Sadly, your gutter will fail to do its job correctly if they are clogged or damaged. That is why you need to ensure that they are in proper working order before any storms hit. The water that congeals once a gutter is clogged is again detrimental to the inside of your home. Take the extra steps to clean out your gutters regularly and you won’t have to concern yourself with further issues.
Make Safe The Basement
The average home can only withstand winds of around one hundred and ten miles per hour. Once a storm generates this much force, it is likely that your windows will be blown in or that errant objects will strike your house. As you can imagine, these occurrences are quite dangerous which is why you and your family need to retreat to a safe place.
Experts have suggested that the best place to hide during a freak storm is the basement. This area is free from the prospect of broken glass or falling debris, making it the perfect haven to wait out the storm. These adverse weather effects could last a while, so make sure you prepare your basement adequately for a prolonged stay. Stock up with food, blankets, and water and you will be able to ride out the night in relative safety.
Get Insurance
There will be times when your preparedness just doesn’t cut it during a storm. Things will get damaged and need to be replaced, but that is why you should have insurance. You can quickly recover from adverse weather if you contact the right providers, so make sure you have decent home insurance if you live in an area that features adverse weather effects.
Conclusion
The most important thing when it comes to adverse weather is looking after yourself and your loved ones. However, you can protect your home if you prepare correctly using this advice.