Various environmental forces can wreak havoc on your home, from storm to gale force winds and from lightening to snow all can cause heavy damages. If your home is insured against damages caused due to natural catastrophes you may be able to recover some of your losses albeit after a significant amount of paperwork and effort. Instead, a more suitable solution is to protect your home against destructive environmental forces so here are a few tips on weather proofing your home.
Storm Protection:
• Never ignore storm warnings because it is advisable to be over prepared than under prepared in this case. Storms can range from mild to severe but all of them are unpredictable, so ensure that you and your home are ready for it
• The roof of your home takes a lot of beating from various environmental factors so it s imperative that you keep your roof well maintained. Check regularly for signs of damage like loose shingles, cracks or leaks and keep the roof free of debris
• Make sure that you check the exteriors and interiors of your home regularly for cracks and leaks; these should be repaired at the earliest because not only will the water seepage damage the foundation of your home but it can also pose a heath hazard dew mould and mildew build up.
• If you have trees in your garden, ensure that they are properly trimmed and that there are no loose branches that can be hazardous. Ideally, you should remove all tree limbs that are close to windows and power lines or are otherwise unsafe.
• Consider buying storm shutters which will protect your windows and add a decorative touch to your home.
Heavy Rain Protection
• Ensure that there is no scope for water seepage through cracks in the roof or in the walls.
• Check for proper drainage around your home to prevent flooding. If you have ditches around your home, make sure that they are clear of debris so that the rain water can be drained properly. Also, ensure that the roof gutters are free of clutter and are not damaged.
• Install anti flood barriers and keep some silicon sealant handy which can be used on door and window rims to prevent excessive water seepage.
Snow Protection
•Turn off the water in all pipes that are prone to freezing.
•Use caulk gum to fill any gaps on window and doors
•Check the heating system in your home and ensure that all the filters are clean. The vents and the chimney should also be cleaned
Gale Force Winds Protection
• Your windows will bear the brunt of high speed winds and the flying debris so it s essential to protect them with storm shutters or any similar protection available to you. These are usually made of metal and need to be installed permanently by a professional.
• If you are looking for a cheaper option consider covering the windows with plywood sheets; these should be nailed to the frame every six inches. This is a temporary solution, but could well save your home from unnecessary damage in the worst conditions.
Lightening
• In case of lightening, switch off all the appliances and stay off the phone. If your area is prone to regular lightening storms, you may want to invest in a surge protector to safeguard your appliances like computers, air conditioners and TV sets against damages caused due to lightening.
• You should also consider protecting your entire home against the damages caused by a bolt by installing lightening suppressors.
Author Resource:
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Storm and Impact Damage Insurance Claims he recommends Morgan Clark: http://www.morganclark.co.uk/domestic_impact.htm
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