Focus on Five Crucial Issues Before the Storm Hits
Extreme weather and its disastrous effects tragically seem to always be in the news, especially throughout the storm damage season. Naturally, you want to do everything possible to prevent your home from experiencing catastrophic outcomes and to safeguard yourself and your family during storm damage season. Foresight can mean the difference between an intact and safe house and one that requires significant repairs, and perhaps is no longer a secure home for your loved ones. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by a lengthy checklist when severe weather is forecasted, focus on five key areas that protect your home and well-being, making the most significant impact.
Strengthen Your Home’s Defenses
Ensure that all exterior areas of your house’s structure are sound and in good repair.
- Your roof is the first line of defense during a storm. Inspect the roof decks regularly, year-round, and immediately before a forecasted storm for loose or missing shingles and flashings; make repairs promptly.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean and properly attached to ensure that water flows away from your home. Clogged drainage systems can cause water to back up into your attic. Downspouts must discharge water several feet away from your foundation, preferably 10 feet away, and at a grade of at least a 6-inch drop over those 10 feet.
- Stormwater finds every crack. Seal gaps around windows, doors, and address existing cracks in your foundation.
Trim Trees and Secure the Yard
High winds turn branches, patio furniture, gardening structures and implements, and even children’s toys and sports equipment into potentially dangerous projectiles.
- Keep trees trimmed, especially those close to your roof or windows.
- Bring inside or tie down items such as grills, planters, and outdoor furniture to prevent unnecessary damage.
- Store toys, games, and play equipment in secure outbuildings or heavy-duty, weighted bins.
Keep Water Out from Top to Bottom
- Consider elevating appliances above historic flood lines or barricading these essential systems with sandbags and inflatable baffles.
- Store furnishings and valuables in higher locations within your home.
- A sump pump can avert the effects of flooding in basements, walkout lower levels, or crawl spaces. A backup battery keeps the pump operational to evacuate water in the event of a power outage.
Back Up Critical Systems
Storms often bring downed power lines and electrical outages.
- A home generator keeps critical equipment, such as refrigerators, sump pumps, and HVAC systems, operating.
- Even a portable model can make a big difference during extended outages, saving chilled and frozen food and keeping some lights and climate control running for your comfort and safety.
5. Devise and Practice a Storm Disaster Plan
Even with the best prep, storms can still cause chaos and create dangerous and even deadly scenarios for you and your family. Anticipate the unexpected during and after storm damage season.
- Create a clear, written family emergency plan.
- Teach utility shutoff procedures to family members.
- Decide on a meeting location in case you need to evacuate.
- Clarify how you will communicate if usual methods temporarily become unavailable.
- Share the plan not only with your housemates, but also with other friends or family members who might be searching for you after the storm.
- Practice the plan together so everyone knows their responsibilities.
Lightspeed Restoration can recommend ways to prepare your home and protect your family before the next extreme storm damage season arrives. Contact us today to put solid plans in place to stay one step ahead of extreme weather disasters.