The weather can be unpredictable, making it essential to be informed and prepared, so check out these 9 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Extreme Weather. According to research, the US leads the world in extreme weather, from hurricanes to flash floods, ice storms, and severe thunderstorms. Therefore, ensuring your home is always ready for the next event is vital.
9 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Extreme Weather
Although you may already have insurance coverage, it helps to put other measures in place to keep you, your family, and your home safe if the unexpected occurs. Below are nine ways to prepare your home for the extreme weather.
- Elevate your property level
Elevating your property level is one way to prepare for extreme weather events, particularly floods, and storms. Property elevation involves raising the height of your home or building above the floodplain or storm surge zone. That includes installing a raised platform or adding stilts or piers to your property.
Elevating your property could also make it eligible for lower flood insurance rates. It is essential to consult with local authorities to determine the level of elevation and permits required for your specific area. By elevating your property level, you proactively protect your property and ensure long-term resilience in extreme weather conditions.
- Inspect your furnace
As with your air conditioner, a routine furnace inspection by an HVAC specialist is essential – at least once a year, in the autumn. Routine furnace maintenance keeps your unit in good working order. If there are any problems, you may schedule a maintenance appointment and get them repaired before the cold season begins.
Check and change air filters as needed to increase furnace efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring your heat vents are not obstructed by furniture. Remember to monitor your carbon monoxide sensors if you have a propane or oil furnace.
- Keep extra batteries for power outages
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends having flashlights, additional batteries, and extra bedding to ensure comfort and security during harsh weather. Other helpful items include a can opener, supplementary medicine, first aid supplies, emergency heat sources, and a fire extinguisher.
Remember to also load up on nonperishable goods like dry cereal, almonds, and protein bars to nourish your family during such times. Meanwhile, the CDC suggests carrying one gallon of filtered water per person every day for three days.
- Seal your doors and windows
Sealing drafty doors and windows is an efficient approach to preparing your house for severe weather. Weatherstripping your doors and window frames helps to reduce drafts by blocking small openings where air and water can enter. That can lead to higher energy efficiency and cheaper electricity costs since you'll be able to better control the temperature inside your house.
Again, sealing your doors and windows protects your home from water incursion during severe rains or snowstorms. Weatherstripping items like sticky foam tape, V-strip, and door sweeps are readily accessible and simple to install for homeowners.
- Cover your windows
Covering your windows may serve as your first defense against the elements, such as torrential rain, scorching heat, and hurricane-force winds. Using plywood, storm shutters, or other protective covers, you may offer an additional insulation layer to your windows and home.
When choosing window covers, ensure they are constructed of robust materials to survive extreme weather conditions. Monitoring the weather report and appropriately protecting windows for any forthcoming risks is critical.
- Look out for your pets
When preparing the home for extreme weather, many often ignore the little companions in the house. Like humans, pets must stay warm and dry indoors when the weather is extremely cold. If you are used to keeping your furry friend outside, now is a good time to make provisions for them inside.
Give your pet plenty of drinking water since dehydration poses extra risks during cold weather. Put on mittens when you head outside since they are warmer than gloves and can protect your pet from freezing.
- Reassess your roofing
A leaking roof in the middle of severe weather can be problematic and expose your home to further damage. Whether your roof is old, neglected, or ruined by events beyond your control, like gale-force winds or hail storms, it's critical to ensure it can cover your property before the forecast calls for potentially hazardous weather. During the winter, ice dams are a regular roof nuisance that homeowners face.
Ice dams form on the edge of your roofing, damaging the shingles and perhaps causing your roof to leak. Therefore, inspecting, repairing, or replacing your roof is advisable so you can be prepared for a rainy day and have peace of mind. If you’re looking for sturdy and durable roofing types, manufacturers like Clear Amber Shop can provide various options, including corrugated metal roofing sheets, to withstand all weather conditions.
- Clean your yard
Cleaning your yard is essential to preparing your home for extreme weather conditions. Whether it's a hurricane, tornado, or heavy rainfall, debris and clutter in your yard can become dangerous projectiles during high winds. It is crucial to remove any loose items in your yard, such as lawn furniture, toys, or outdoor equipment, and place them in a secure location.
Don't forget to clear away dead branches and trim trees that may pose a risk of falling onto your home during strong winds. Additionally, clean out your gutters and downspouts to prevent water from accumulating and causing water damage in your home. Taking the time to clean your yard before extreme weather arrives can save you from dealing with costly damages and ensure the safety of your family and belongings.
- Get a safe spot for your car
Your vehicle is at risk of being damaged when exposed to savage hailstorms, extremely wild gusts of wind, or monstrous hurricanes unless properly secured. Ideally, you would want to steer your car into an indoor garage or carport, which provides adequate protection from all the high winds, hail, and flying debris that can wreck your car.
But, if you don't have access to these facilities, try parking your car away from trees or any nearby structures that may want to strike out and cause damage to your vehicle. Also, look out for any flood-prone areas that might be lurking about. Remember, ensuring your car has a safe place during the wild weather can be the difference between irreparable damage and a perfectly intact car.
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