Avoiding Storm Damages for Your Home

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Ten Easy Steps to Protect Your Home from Storm Damage 

1. Replace missing or damaged shingles.

When a shingle is damaged it is much more cost efficient to replace it immediately. As waiting until the damages are so severe that you must replace an entire section of roof, or the whole roof.

2. Repair or replace loose siding.

The same rule of thumb applies here with siding as it does roofs.

3. Ensure proper sealing of doors and windows

If your home isn't properly weather-proof, seeping water can pose a huge threat.

4. Ensure water flow is directed away from your home.

Make sure all water is flowing away from your home and towards a ditch, drain, or other proper retention area.

5. Keep your gutters clear.

Clearing gutters for free flow of water and proper downspouts are helpful in extending the life of the foundation of your home. Water damage by flooding is one of the quickest ways to devalue your home. Making sure the gutters are clear is the first line of defense in avoiding water damage.

6. Check for loose or damaged fence posts.

Wind can be an unexpected danger. Posts that are not nailed down could be a liability. Checking your fence posts is typically easy, Tip: Walk to each post and give a firm shake to each one to check for any needed repairs.

7. Regularly trim your trees.

Tree limbs can damage your home, and surrounding neighbor’s homes. Keeping trees trimmed and well managed is an excellent way to protect your roof and windows.

8. Keep your sump pump in working order.

Spring often brings a lot of excess rain, so before rain season starts, check that your sump pump is in proper working order. If you want to feel secure, having a backup sump pump is a guaranteed way to avoid flooding in your home.

9. Walk around your property.

If you know a storm is coming, take some time to check through basic maintenance steps to protect your home. Identify any items around your property that could pose as projectiles. These items could include lawn furniture, tools, or yard debris. Avoid damage by moving potential threats to a garage or shed to be safely stored.

10. Keep a generator on hand.

A bad storm could potentially knock out power to your home for hours or even days. Having a generator on standby could save you time and money ensuring you don’t have to throw away refrigerated foods or create water leaks from unpowered appliances.  

Storm season brings a lot of uncertainty, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. If a disaster does occur, feel safe knowing you can call SERVPRO of Texarkana at 903-832-4400.