Every house is an investment. Even if you inherited your house for free, you still need to pay maintenance costs for your house. If your investment gets damaged in a storm, it would be difficult for many people to get the money needed for repair. This is why prevention is more important than cure.
So instead of mourning over lost battles with the last storm, we decided to make a list of things you could keep an eye out for when something similar rolls back around. Let’s see what they are!
Be Aware
One of the first things you have to do is keep an eye on the weather. Without foresight, you risk exposing your house to weather-related damage. Other people who see the forecast before you might clean out the open shelves of emergency supplies. Instead, choose a popular service like Tomorrow’s weather forecast to keep you safe.
Check Your Roof
Most storms are accompanied by strong winds. This means the day you get to know about a storm, you should see what condition your roof is in. Choose a time that will give you the opportunity to examine your roof in sunlight and the opportunity to arrange for repair services as well. Ask your neighbors for popular contractors in your area.
Clean Your Gutters
While you’re up there, you should also clean your gutters. If you have older kids, you can clean the gutters together and turn this into a teaching moment. The roof is the top of your house and what protects you from the outside elements. You need to make your house ready to face the onslaught that is coming.
Assess Your Basement
Whether you have to shelter from a storm in the heat of June or the cold of January, you should check your basement for signs of mildew or mold. You can call for at-home services that will get rid of these problems for you and complete the project safely as well.
Fix Your Windows and Doors
Checking your windows and doors are among the first and last things you do before a storm. Remember that any entry points should not be kept open during a storm. You don’t want any left unsecured. Otherwise, they will go flying off together. This would add another new item to fix or repair, which is expensive.
Get Some Gardening in
If your house has trees or gardens around it, you have to ensure they survive the storm as well. You can search for local lumber companies to check if they’ll do free removals of any large trees that can damage your house if they fall. While it’s tempting to do this yourself, it needs specialized tools, so your house isn’t damaged in the process. You could add something like a plastic top sheet for your open garden to protect it from excessive rain.
Double Check the Power
Most storms cause power shortages. To ensure power supply in your house, you will have to confirm your backup generator works. If it’s been a while since you last checked it, you should call a professional the first chance you get. This is important because you need your sump pump to work during the storm to keep your house safe.
Secure Your Plumbing
If you’re facing extreme cold, your pipes could be lost to ice unless you’re careful. You can get some insulation tape and complete this project alone or together with your family. You can also keep the taps in your house running in a trickle as running water prevents the pipes in your house from freezing.
Examine Your Fireplace
When the storm takes out the power and heating in your house, you might be tempted to use the fireplace. However, this can be dangerous if you don’t remember the last time you did any maintenance-related activities there. Instead, see if you can find any lost wildlife in there and make sure you clean it thoroughly for use.
Buy Emergency Supplies
You need to get together with your family and plan to get emergency supplies for your house. You need to see if your medical supplies are safe and get new replacements for expired goods. If your family has expanded recently, you need to add to the store of food you have kept for similar situations. If you’re making new kits, buy food and supplies that will last for a few years to extend your purchase.
