7 Ways To Protect Your Home From Storms And Inclement Weather
Have you noticed weather getting more and more extreme over the last few years? From hail to strong winds, ice, and even tornados, we sure have seen a shift. That’s why we’d like to share our best tips on how to protect your biggest investment, your home, from the damage that one freak storm can cause. From minor to major, there are some key things you can do now, before the storms roll in. It’s good to be prepared–you never know what tomorrow might bring!
1. Inspect Your Roof
Unless you have a chimney to clean or you’re clearing gutters several times a year, or maybe if your house is perfectly positioned on a downhill slope, you likely aren’t ever looking at your home’s roof. It’s only with regular glancing that you can notice things like damaged shingles, areas where debris collects and starts to decompose, or wear patterns. Periodic inspections of your roof can ensure that you have the opportunity to get ahead of issues before they become serious and before the next storm hits. This is when you'd want to remove leaves, pollen bundles, sticks, or any other debris to ensure that in the next storm, water can freely flow, preventing the chance of backup or overflow that could damage your home. Inspecting once a storm has passed is also important, especially if your area experienced hail or heavy winds.
Damaged or compromised shingles offer wind and rain a way to get directly to the structure of your roof, where they can do some major damage. At that point, repair can be a good option if the rest of the roof is in relatively good condition and it hasn’t been too long since it was replaced. But if you’re noticing several areas of damage and it’s been a decade or longer since the roof was installed, it’s time to start thinking about roof replacement. If a new roof is in your future, consider picking a roof color that’s lighter than the traditional shingles used in decades past. Lighter shades reflect the sun’s heat, while darker shades absorb it. That means that your roof could have a big role in keeping your home cooler, and the lower temperature could also naturally prolong the life of the roof
2. Clean and Repair Gutters and Downspouts
Tied into roof inspection and repair is gutter and downspout maintenance. The water that’s hitting your roof during a storm can’t easily flow away if either of these are blocked or choked with built up leaves or other debris. Using a strong stream from a hose can help you to make sure that water is flowing smoothly. Cages that prevent large leaves from clogging the downspout can help, but many homeowners opt for some sort of gutter guard. Just be sure that if you go this route, you really get the details on the product–some work better than others and may be better or worse for your specific situation.
However you handle clearing the gutters and downspouts, just be sure that’s done well before a storm is projected to hit your area. It’s also key to make sure that the downspouts are directing water away from your home. If after a good look, you realize that gutters are sagging and leaking and downspouts are in rough shape, it could be time to replace those gutters and downspouts. Seamless aluminum gutters never sounded so good, and they’re a top way to invest in your home.
3. Entry Door Installation
If you are in an area that gets heavy storms throughout the year, and if your entry door gets the brunt of the wind and rain, you want to be sure that your door can stand up to the beating. Choosing a storm door paired with a steel entry door is one way to barricade your home against lashing rain, but it can also protect against snow, ice, and extreme temperatures. Having two doors creates a buffer between indoor and outdoor temperatures. It also prevents rain from getting into your entryway and damaging flooring or rotting away structural framing over time. While French doors and typical patio doors are a great addition to more secluded entryways, a strong steel entry door is ideal when you need protection from the elements.
4. Ensure Windows Are Sealed
Wind and water are powerful, and they always seek the easiest path. If windows and doors aren’t well sealed, those tiny openings that result could allow the elements to leach in and compromise door and window frames. If it goes on long enough, or if you get the mother of all storms that rips through your neighborhood, compromised seals can lead to extensive damage and expensive repairs. Older windows that are still in good condition can simply be sealed with an adhesive for small cracks, or other means for larger openings. However, if after a thorough inspection you find that your home’s windows aren’t in the best of shape, then replacement windows for your Cleveland home might be the better option. With the seeming randomness of tornadoes these last few years, you really can’t risk it with wind.
5. Check Vinyl Siding
The same story applies to siding as to entry door installation and replacement windows–you want to thoroughly inspect your home’s siding, well before a storm comes to call. If there are any minor cracks, holes, or more major issues, like missing panels or large openings, those need to be addressed right away, especially if they’re on the side of your home that takes the hardest hit in bad weather. Strong winds can funnel into any opening in your home’s siding and rip pieces off or turn minor damage into a major problem. Driving rain can breach the siding’s protective layer and penetrate into your home’s structure, causing untold damage. So if you see spots you aren’t sure about when you inspect your home’s vinyl siding, get in touch with the experts at Fairview Home Improvement. We can advise you accordingly, and if vinyl siding replacement is in the cards, we can help there, too!
6. Pay Attention to Landscaping
Another maintenance and preventive tip we have pertains to the property surrounding your home. We all love the lush look of a summer garden, but try to step back and take an objective view. Yes, that shade tree does help to reduce indoor temperatures, but if it is hanging over the roof, or already brushing against your home and clogging gutters and downspouts with debris, it’s worth bringing in a certified arborist to get their professional advice and maybe even pursue regular trimming to prevent future issues. Even well-established trees can be a serious liability in a wind or rain storm. Once the ground is saturated and wind catches the canopy like a sail, that beloved shade tree can pose significant risk. Working with an expert ensures that you get the best advice for your situation.
Beyond trees, which pose an obvious threat, it’s also important to take a walk around your property with an objective eye. Identify items that could become dangerous projectiles in a strong storm and either secure them in place or move them to a safer location. Make sure, too, that your property is graded in such a way that water naturally flows away from your home, preventing a build up in your basement or lower level.
7. Have A Game Plan
Lastly, this isn’t so much advice on what to do beforehand, but a nudge to be sure you’re ready when the worst storm shows up at your door. Having things like an emergency exit plan in place and a designated meeting place understood among family members means that if that Ohio tornado does touch down, you’ll be able to safely reunite. It’s also good to have emergency supplies on hand, like flashlights, water, and non-perishable food. A portable generator that’s powerful enough to handle your needs is also something worth investing in as extreme weather and power outages become the norm. And if you do have power but the excessive rain is beginning to back up into your home, a sump pump is an invaluable piece of equipment to have on hand. Ensure that you safely know how to operate these tools and that you have any necessary fuel, far in advance of a disaster.
Rely On Your Cleveland Home Improvement Specialists
Whatever weather may be coming your way this season, knowing that you’ve done all you can to protect your home is the best way to have peace of mind. Work with the experts at Fairview Home Improvement to ensure that your home can withstand nature’s worst. And if you‘re in the market for entry door installation, replacement windows, vinyl siding, or a new roof, you know who to call! Get in touch with our team today to learn more.