9 ESSENTIAL PRACTICES TO STORM-PROOF YOUR HOME

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

BE PREPARED AND STORMPROOF YOUR HOME

If you live in a place that experiences frequent storms, you understand how destructive they can be for both homes and businesses. There are steps you can take to protect your property from even the harshest weather.

1. SEAL WINDOWS AND DOORS
Sealant on windows and doors can wear due to age and the sun. Before storm season, be sure to check the seals around all windows and doors. Checking your seals is a smart thing to do every season. This is because properly sealed windows and doors are more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.

2. SEAL AND PROTECT YOUR ROOF
One of the most vital steps to stormproof your home is securing and sealing your roof. Roof damage can lead to a whole array of additional problems such as water damage, mold and pest infestations. The roof deck lies under your roof and above your living space. Waterproofing the roof deck will add security and help ensure that water doesn’t damage inside of your home.

3. STRAP YOUR ROOF
If you live in a place with high winds, tornadoes and/or hurricanes, then you might want to consider roof strapping. Roof strapping is a process that attaches the home’s roof to the walls with metal straps. This keeps your roof connected to your home on all sides, rather than having it simply sit on top of your house.

4. SEAL ANY HOLES
Sometimes homes have cables or furnaces that attach to the exterior of the home. If this is the case, you should check to make sure the areas of connection are securely sealed. You can easily seal the holes with caulk. This will keep water from getting inside your home and foundation.

5. CHECK AND SECURE POSTS
If your home has posts connected to a porch, deck, or carport, then you will want to give them some attention when storm-proofing your home. These extra sections of your home can rip a hole in your house if a strong enough storm decides to sweep through. To prevent this, check all the posts to ensure they are firmly attached to the ground.

6. CLEAR THE YARD
If a storm is coming, one of the best things to do to protect your house is to clear everything from outside. Things like patio furniture, potted plants, and even trampolines can be swept up by strong winds and damage your siding or windows.

7. CHECK YOUR GARAGE DOOR
One thing a lot of homeowners forget to do when storm-proofing is to check the security of their garage doors. This is important because garage doors are lightweight and one of the most common victims of a harsh storm. They can blow in and then rip a hole in your ceiling or front of your garage.

8. CHECK YOUR HOME INSURANCE
Before storm season hits, take time to review your home insurance policy to make sure you’re covered. You’ll want to be sure the policy covers the full cost of rebuilding your home if it is lost in a storm.

9. ADD FLOOD INSURANCE
When reviewing your home insurance policies, we recommend adding flood insurance if you don’t have it already. Many policies only cover damage from the storm, such as a hurricane, but not the flooding that occurs afterward.

BE PREPARED AND STORMPROOF YOUR HOME
The impact of a natural disaster can be devastating. Luckily, taking these nine precautions can help save your home and your life. Whether it’s a tornado, hurricane, or fire, you should also be prepared with knowing who to turn to for recovery and repairs. At SERVPRO of East Honolulu, we offer quality disaster recovery, damage control, reconstruction, and remediation you can trust.