Summer is storm season, where rain and thunder seem to occur almost daily in the south east. All of that rain water can have a negative affect on homes, and it’s important to make sure that they are well protected. Below are several steps that you can take to prevent storms from causing damage to your home during storm season.
Inspect Your Landscaping
Trees, bushes, flowers, and other plants can provide beauty and shade for your home and yard, but may also be a hazard during storm season. Take a moment to walk around the yard and look at some of the lager plants, checking to see if they are healthy, or if they have any dead or damaged limbs. Heavy rain and strong winds put a lot of physical stress on these plants, and large, heavy branches may come loose if the plant isn’t strong and healthy.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Good water drainage begins at the very highest peak of your roof, and ends at the very lowest point in your yard. Making sure that water has a clear and unobstructed patch between those to points is very important. If that path leads somewhere it shouldn’t like near the home’s foundation, or into a dip in the middle of the yard, it can pool and cause damage. In some cases that damage may only be some dead grass and a bit of mud, but in other cases it could mean a cracked foundation or moldy, rotten wood.
Check The Condition Of Your Roof
A roof doesn’t last forever, and over time they will slowly degrade and fall apart. Shingles will come loose, and parts of the wood may become exposed. When that happens, mold and rot may develop, as well as leaks that allow water into the attic and ceilings. Before storm season, take a close look at your roof to make sure that everything looks good and intact. Any signs of discoloration of damaged shingles should be addressed as soon as possible, before one small problem turns into many big problems.
Have An Emergency Plan
The best way to endure any emergency is to be prepared. Consider all of the likely worst case scenarios that might happen (but you hope never do), and think about what you would need to do to effectively respond in those situations. Have a first aid and supply kit packed with food, water, flashlights, a phone and a radio, and store it in an easily accessible place. Create a list of emergency contacts, businesses that you would need to call should a tree fall through your roof, a flash flood fill your basement, or lightning strike your home and cause a fire. A well thought out and thorough disaster plan can potentially save tens of thousands of dollars, and maybe even lives.
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