Storm-proofing your home in 3 steps
Posted on: 30 July 2015
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Summer storms and winter blizzards can cause lasting damage to a house. Follow these three simple steps to protect your home against the elements.
Make sure your roof is sealed
For a storm-safe home, start at the top. Your roof should be tightly sealed and ready to cope with wind and rain. A small leak can let in damaging amounts of water in a storm so it's best to fix them up quickly. Broken shingles are a common cause of roof leaks and will be a chink in your home's armour when a storm hits, but they can often be fixed with a spot of DIY.
More serious problems affect the piping and gutters of your home. If your roof drainage isn't working it stands a high chance of overflowing in a storm and damaging your property. High amounts of rainwater washing down a house can even affect its foundation, so problems with roof plumbing are not to be ignored. They might be solved by getting up on a ladder and clearing out the gutter. If that doesn't solve the problem, it's time to call in a roof plumber to ensure that rain flows safely off your roof and into the drains.
Give your trees a health-check
As beautiful as they make a home, trees also pose one of the highest risks to property during a storm. It is surprisingly common for trees to be toppled by high winds. The Hurricane Sandy superstorm toppled over 8,000 trees in New York City alone, but root damage and weak trunk structure can see a tree fall in far less severe conditions.
Trees which are at-risk of falling in a storm may start to lean over time, or they may show signs of internal fungi. If a tree near your house concerns you, a tree surgeon will be able to tell you whether it is structurally stable enough to withstand a storm. It's better to be safe than risk a branch falling on your home, car or even a family member.
Have a power failure plan
Unless you're lucky enough to have an energy self-sufficient home, it's impossible to know how long you may be in the dark if the power goes out. Preparing to get around your home and eat safely is crucial. Make sure your family knows where a torch and batteries are kept. Also ensure that children know not to eat food that has gone un-refrigerated for more than two hours. Keep some non-perishable foods around in case of a long power outage.