Storm-proofing Your House
Storms can have a devastating effect on your home. If you’ve had previous experience with bad weather or simply want to cover all eventualities, take some of these easy steps to fortify your home and you’ll never have to worry about a storm again.
Reinforce your roof
If your roof already has a few loose tiles, it may be time to get it replaced. A storm could rip off more tiles and pretty soon you’ll be getting regular leaks. You’re welcome to do this yourself, although you may feel more confident leaving it in the hands of professionals. Getting your roof replaced isn’t cheap, but there are many companies that can offer honest roofing estimates, from which you can shop around and make a decision.
Gut out your guttering
In the winter, plastic guttering can freeze up. Not only does this cause blockages but it also poses a risk during a storm. The guttering could crack and become fragile allowing it to be easily ripped off in a strong wind. This frozen guttering can then have the result of a falling tree trunk, causing extra damage on its way down. Hire a professional to get on top of your guttering before it becomes a problem.
Lock away garden furniture
If you have a shed, make sure that garden furniture such as deck chairs and ornaments are locked away. Ensure that this is the case with your front garden and back garden, and knock on your neighbours if you’re worried about their garden furniture – the last thing you want is one of their gnomes through your car windscreen. In the event of weather warnings, it may also be beneficial to lock away your wheelie bin to stop it ending up halfway down the street.
Remove treacherous trees
There may be a tree or plant around your house that has been previously damaged or semi-uprooted by a storm. Don’t let the next storm be the final straw that topples it. Certain trees may be protected by a local council or belong to a neighbour, so you may have to get permission first, but generally if it poses a risk to you or your property no-one will stop you from taking action. If you’re unsure whether it is potentially dangerous, you can ask a tree surgeon to confirm for you.
Get insured
Some damage is difficult to prepare for. Having your home insured to cover costs is the best strategy to deal with this. If you live in a storm-prone area such as a flood or hurricane zone, insurance may be ridiculously high, so weigh up whether you think it’s worth it (ask the neighbours if they’re insured and if so which providers they’d recommend). There may be ways of lowering your insurance premiums such as investing in all of the above or taking specialist precautionary methods such as owning sandbags. If your insurance policy covers theft, you may also be able to lower the cost by installing anti-burglar features.