Your home needs strong protection against bad weather, so check all parts carefully – from bottom to top. Look at the foundation, roof, and any spots where wind or rain could get in. Put away all outdoor things in a safe, dry place and make sure your windows and doors are sealed tight with good shutters. Keep your gutters clean so water can flow away from your house, and have a fix-it kit ready with covers, basic tools, and sealants. Going through each safety step will show you other ways to keep your home safe.
Key Takeaways
- Inspect and repair your roof, ensuring all shingles are secure and gutters are clear of debris to prevent water damage.
- Install or check storm shutters and reinforce windows and doors with proper weather stripping and seals.
- Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and equipment by moving them inside or anchoring them firmly to the ground.
- Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts, ensuring proper drainage away from your home's foundation.
- Keep an emergency repair kit ready with tarps, tools, and materials for quick fixes during or after severe weather.
Assess Your Home's Current Weather Defenses
Your home needs checking in three main areas to guard against bad weather: how strong it is, how well water flows away, and what shields it from damage.
Start by looking at your foundation – search for any splits, holes, or wet spots.
Then look over your roof to find loose or broken parts that keep rain out. Make sure your gutters and pipes can move water away from your house properly.
Last, check spots that might be weak: windows, doors, and outside walls.
Write down which areas need fixing, replacing, or making stronger to handle rough weather. This check helps you know exactly what needs work.
Regular inspections can help identify storm damage impact before it leads to costly structural problems.
Secure or Store Outdoor Furniture and Decorations
When bad weather is coming, outdoor items can become flying objects that may damage your home and hurt people. Take steps to store or tie down your furniture and decorations to keep everything safe.
| Item Type | Storage Location | Securing Method |
|---|---|---|
| Patio Sets | Garage/Shed | Heavy-duty straps |
| Planters | Indoor spaces | Empty and stack |
| Umbrellas | Storage room | Collapse and bind |
| Decorations | Basement | Weatherproof bins |
Start moving your outdoor items inside as soon as you get a weather warning. Move small, light items first since wind can pick them up easily. If you can't bring everything inside, use strong ropes or ties to hold down bigger furniture pieces.
Inspect and Reinforce Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are often weak spots during bad storms, so they need to be checked and made stronger before bad weather hits. Make sure window coverings are firmly attached and storm shutters can open and close easily.
Look at window frames for holes, splits, or soft wood that could make them weak. Put in new seals and weather strips around doors to keep water out. Make sure locks and door handles work well.
Think about adding strong glass or special window coating, mainly if you live where hurricanes happen. Check that door hinges are firmly attached and door frames are strong and straight.
Clean and Maintain Gutters and Drainage Systems
Keeping gutters clean is vital to prevent water damage during storms. Clean out your gutters two times each year by removing leaves, sticks, and dirt that block water.
Make sure water pipes that go down the side of your house are clear and point away from your home's base.
While checking the drainage system, look for loose parts, spots that hang too low, and areas with rust.
Put screens on your gutters to keep out leaves and twigs, then test if water flows well by running a hose through them.
Also check the drain pipes in the ground to ensure they slope correctly and aren't blocked.
For optimal drainage, install one downspout per 30 feet of guttering to prevent overflow during heavy rainfall.
Trim Trees and Remove Hazardous Branches
Check your trees that could hit your home during storms by looking for branches that might cause damage.
Watch for signs that trees are unhealthy or weak. Take care of dangerous branches the right way to keep your home safe.
Look out for:
- Broken or loose branches
- Dead branches with no leaves
- Branches touching your house or power lines
- Trees that split into many trunks
- Branches with holes or rotting spots
For big or tall branches, don't try to cut them yourself – get a tree expert to do the job safely.
Check and Repair Roof Components
Looking at your roof regularly helps stop big problems during bad weather.
Start by checking all parts of your roof – the top layer of tiles or shingles, the metal edges, and the layers underneath. Fix or replace any broken, bent, or missing roof tiles right away.
Make sure the metal pieces around chimneys, air pipes, and roof corners are sealed well to keep water out. Check that rain can flow freely through gutters and pipes.
Also look at your roof's base from inside the attic – watch for wet spots, soft wood, or places where you can see daylight, as these might mean you need a roofer to fix deeper issues.
Regular professional roof inspections can help identify potential threats that could compromise your roof's structural integrity.
Strengthen Exterior Wall Protection
Your home's outer walls are key in protecting against bad weather. Check and improve your wall materials to make sure they're as strong as possible. Look at your wall insulation and think about getting stronger siding that can handle heavy impacts.
- Put in metal straps to link wall frames to the base and roof
- Fill any holes around pipes and wires with weather-proof sealant
- Add metal support to brick or stone walls when needed
- Place strong backing boards under outside wall covers
- Add a water-blocking layer between wall parts
These changes make your home's walls much stronger and better able to handle rough weather.
Partnering with local construction companies ensures your exterior wall reinforcements meet regional building requirements and weather challenges.
Install and Test Storm Shutters
Storm shutters protect your home's windows during bad weather. You can pick from different types like roll-down, accordion, colonial, or panels – choose what works best for your house and what you can afford.
When putting them up, follow the maker's directions carefully to get everything lined up right. During storm season, check your shutters once a month to make sure they open and close well and lock properly.
Keep the moving parts oiled and look for any rust or breaks that could stop them from working when you need them most.
Evaluate Foundation and Ground Slope
Your home's strength begins with its base. Look at your foundation for breaks, sinking, and good water flow to stop storm damage.
Make sure the ground near your house slopes down – it should drop 6 inches as you move out 10 feet. This helps water move away from your home.
- Look for cracks in foundation walls wider than 1/8 inch
- Check your basement or crawl space for water marks or dampness
- Make sure drain pipes extend at least 6 feet from your house
- Watch spots where soil washes away, mainly near house corners
- Check that your basement water pump works well
Create Emergency Exterior Repair Kit
Your emergency outside repair kit helps protect your home from storm damage.
You need strong tarps, nails for roofing, rope, duct tape, and pieces of plywood to fix breaks quickly.
Keep a weather radio that runs on batteries and a wind meter to check weather changes.
Add a drill that runs without a cord, hammer, cutting tool, and safety gear like tough gloves and eye protection.
Include waterproof sealant, fast-drying cement, and foam spray to stop leaks.
Put all these items in a box that keeps water out and is easy to reach when bad weather hits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Cost of Severe Weather Insurance Coverage?
The cost of severe weather insurance ranges from $800 to $3,000 each year. The price changes based on what kind of insurance you pick, where you live, how much coverage you want, and what weather risks your policy covers.
How Long Before a Storm Should I Begin Exterior Preparations?
Start getting ready 2-3 days before the storm hits. This gives you enough time to protect your home and keep track of weather updates that might show if the storm is getting stronger or weaker.
Which Exterior Modifications Can Increase My Home's Resale Value?
Making smart changes to your home's outside can boost its selling price. New siding, better windows that save energy, and well-planned yard work are top choices. Putting in a fresh garage door, fixing up the roof, and adding stone to walls can also give you good value for your money.
Are Weather-Resistant Paint Products Worth the Extra Investment?
Weather-resistant paints give you better value for your money because they stand up well against the elements and last longer. They don't fade or peel as easily, and they keep water from causing damage. You can expect them to last up to 20% longer than regular paint.
Can I Install Storm Protection Systems Myself to Save Money?
You can put up basic storm guards on your own, but tougher items like strong shutters need experts to install them. This makes sure they're firmly attached, built right, and follow all safety rules to keep you safe in bad weather.
Conclusion
You've now established critical defenses against severe weather through systematic exterior preparations. By implementing these protective measures with MWCR Homes, you'll have reinforced your home's structural integrity and created multiple layers of defense. Regular maintenance of these systems, combined with your emergency repair kit, guarantees you're equipped to handle meteorological challenges. Monitor and update these preparations quarterly to maintain peak weather resistance.
