May 7, 2019

Every year in the U.S., floods, tornados, blizzards and other forms of extreme weather systems hit certain regions, often causing widespread devastation and damage. With weather patterns changing dramatically over the years, extreme weather has become more common and severe storms are responsible for causing billions of dollars of damage. Homeowners are being strongly urged to reassess how prepared they are for storms and to strengthen their homes and their plans to help prevent or minimize damage and/or loss of life.

In Florida, insurance companies are now instructed by law to offer wind mitigation credits to give encouragement to homeowners to better protect their homes from high winds such as those present during tropical storms and hurricanes. The credits are in place for the duration of the insurance policy and are available for such things as newer, stronger roofs and protection for doors and windows.

So, if a storm is about to hit your region, is your home ready for it?

Have you cleared the decks?

Clutter in yards or left lying around outside the property can turn into dangerous flying objects when a storm hits and are best stored away securely well in advance. Toys, patio furniture, building materials, and hanging baskets are all items that can cause harm to you, others or your property when a storm takes hold. Not to mention the fact that they may well be destroyed, and you’ll simply have to replace the items after the storm.

Is your structure strong enough?

High winds and heavy snowfall can wreak havoc on your home, especially if it’s not designed to handle increased loads on the roof such as from snow, or impact from high winds that can literally blow the roof from your home, causing untold damage and putting the lives of anyone inside, at extreme risk. Upgrade any structural supports in garages or sheds that aren’t attached to your home, to help prevent the rooves from collapsing or blowing off, and wherever possible, upgrade rooves to make sure they are strong enough in the event of a severe storm.

If you have any doubt about the strength and security of your existing roof, you’d be wise to seek an assessment from a local roofing company who can advise you on whether you need to make any changes or replace your roof altogether. While this may seem an unnecessary expense for some homeowners, what can happen when a roof is damaged often does not bear thinking about, and the cost of replacing it – not to mention the items inside your home that will have been damaged when exposed by a missing roof – becomes a secondary concern.

Are you able to prevent water leaks?

When driving winds coupled with torrential rains hit your home, you’ll often be surprised at just how much damage they can do, and they are often capable of penetrating gaps not ordinarily accessible. Water that has leaked into your home can quickly do untold damage, especially if the rain has seeped in unnoticed. Check for leaks prior to a storm and be sure that your home cannot be penetrated by rain and check again in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

There may be little we can do to prevent storms from hitting our towns and cities, but we can certainly ensure that our homes are secure and safe when extreme weather hits. Try not to neglect any maintenance issues in and around your home, and always check that your roof will stand up to high winds and heavy snowfall.