Note: This blog post is a sponsored conversation written by Lynn Smythe, the Founder and Chief Blogger for The Creative Cottage lifestyle blog. The opinions, thoughts, ideas and text are all mine.
For any homeowner, the prospect of being hit by a storm will always be worrying due to the serious damage and disruption hurricanes and thunder storms can cause. Nevertheless, as there’s no way of preventing storms, many homeowners feel they can do little more than place their trust in the way their home was designed, and hope that Mother Nature is as kind as possible.
However, while storms will always happen, you do not simply have to accept that damage and disruption are inevitable. Below, we have compiled a list of ways you can prepare your home for storms from the worst the weather can throw at you.
#1 – Inspect Your Roof Frequently
Your roof is the first line of defence when it comes to making sure your home can survive a storm unscathed, so regular inspections are highly recommended. It’s best to look for leaks by carefully checking your attic space every few weeks. The best time to do this is when it’s raining; examine the internal structure carefully for any signs of water – you may find using a flashlight helps to simplify this process.
If you spot any roof leaks, then contact a professional to remedy the problem as soon as possible – even small leaks can cause significant damage in storm conditions. Furthermore, you can inspect the external part of the roof from ground level. If you spot loose shingles or tiles on the roof itself, have these repaired immediately – in high winds (especially during hurricanes down here in Florida), it’s highly likely that these will become dislodged, causing damage wherever they happen to fall.
#2 – Secure Outdoor Items
Flying debris is a major contributor to significant property damage during storms, and even if the winds aren’t strong enough to lift items entirely, expensive items can be knocked over and damaged as the result of a storm. It is therefore important to either remove or secure all free-standing items from your property’s outdoor spaces, including heavier items such as patio furniture, plants you’re growing in containers and trash cans.
#3 – Clean Gutters and Use Drain Covers
Modern homes are designed to withstand even heavy rainfall, but only if the systems put in place to control water flow – your gutters and your drains – are able to work effectively. Try to clean your gutters every few weeks, and make sure that external drains have covers in order to prevent an accumulation of leaves and other debris.
#4 – Call in Experts After a Storm
Even following the tips mentioned above, there is still a chance that your home may experience storm damage, so being sure you can quickly rectify any issues you experience is very important. You’ll need to make sure that you contact your home insurer as soon as a storm hits, so keep a copy of your policy information and the claims phone number in your cell phone.
Secondly, it’s helpful to research which companies you can turn to for restoration services that will help get your home back to normal as soon as possible. When you’ve found a few companies who are well-established and reviewed, keep their numbers stored in your home so you can get in touch the moment the storm has passed.
In Conclusion
By following the tips above, you should be able to be confident that if a storm does arrive this summer, your home should be as well protected as possible. So, that’s how you prepare your home for storms.
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