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March 29, 2023Your home is your biggest investment, so it stands to reason that you want to make sure that it’s well-protected. Of all the dangers that your house faces, severe weather is one of the biggest threats. Hurricanes, winds, tornadoes, blizzards, and just plain old downpours; you never know when a storm is going to blow through. Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your house and cause extensive damages that require costly repairs, and even worse, can leave your house completely uninhabitable and displace you. Fortunately, there are ways that you can safeguard and storm proof your house yourself from the wrath of high winds, strong rains, ice, and snow.
By implementing a few simple tips, when wicked weather arrives, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home will be able to withstand the storm.
5 Ways to Storm Proof Your House (Doors, Windows, and More)
1. Reinforce the Windows and Doors
If you want to effectively stormproof your home, reinforcing the windows and doors is an absolute must. After all, the windows and doors aren’t just points of entry for people and pets; they’re also easy access points for high wind, rain, and other elements.
To prevent severe weather from blowing in, reinforcing your windows and doors is a must. Whether you’re building a home from scratch or you’re upgrading your current house, installing impact-rated windows and storm doors would be well worth the investment.
They’re specially designed with highly durable materials and are super-reinforced, so there’s no need to do any further preparations if a storm comes rolling in. Additionally, they’ll not only protect your home from the weather, but they’ll prevent would-be burglars from breaking in, as they’re virtually impossible to break through.
While impact-rated windows and doors are certainly the strongest forms of protection, they are pricy. Therefore, if installing storm doors and windows into your newly constructed home or retrofitting them into your existing house isn’t an option, hurricane shutters are a more budget-friendly way to safeguard against severe weather.
2. Check and Protect the Roof
As the highest point of your house, the roof is the first line of defense against the elements, which also means it’s highly prone to weather-related damage. Heavy rains and ice dams can cause leaks, high winds can tear off shingles or entire sections, and trees can rub against or fall on top of and puncture right through a roof.
To protect your roof from weather-related damage, get into the habit of having it inspected on a regular basis – weakened roofing materials are more susceptible to damage. A professional roofer will inspect the entire structure, checking for any problem areas. On top of that, they’ll make sure that the gutters and downspouts are securely attached and free of dirt and debris. If any issues are found, the necessary corrections will be made.
Additionally, before a severe weather event, secure your roof with sheathing. A roofing contractor can install sheathing to your trusses with ring-shank nails. This will help to reinforce the structure, and ultimately, can help to prevent it from collapsing during an extreme weather event.
3. Keep your Yard Debris-Free
The vast majority of the damage that houses sustain during storms is the result of items that are left outside being picked up in high winds. Items left free outside become projectiles and can bust through doors and windows.
To prevent unnecessary damage, keep your yard debris-free. When a storm warning is issued, don’t forget to check for and remove any loose items; toys, bikes, patio furniture, landscaping equipment, loose branches, etc.
4. Keep Your Trees Trimmed and Pruned
Dead branches and overgrown trees aren’t just unsightly; more importantly, they can be serious hazards during a storm. Whether you do it yourself or you hire a professional landscaper or arborist, trimming and pruning your trees will help to prevent storm-related damage.
Both actions remove dead, dying, or overgrown limbs and branches from your trees so they won’t turn into renegade projectiles. Plus, keeping your trees trimmed and pruned will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property.
5. Upgrade Insulation
Finally, upgrading your insulation is another great way to stormproof your home and prevent damage. Replace or add more insulation to the attic or crawlspace, install weather stripping or caulking around window frames, doors, and even around any other points that have direct access to the outdoors, such as power outlets that are placed in exterior walls, and wrap exposed plumbing pipes. Taking all of the above measures can help to prevent frigid a whole slew of issues that are associated with frigid temperatures and high winds.
Storm Proof Your House
These five simple tips will really go a long way when it comes to protecting your home from extreme weather events. To learn more about storm proofing your home, contact us today!
Additional Information: Energy-Efficient Replacement Doors
North Country Windows & Baths in Lincoln, NE, and the Surrounding Areas
At North Country Windows & Baths, our Windows are backed by a Lifetime Warranty giving our customers peace of mind. Each window is custom-made to fit your home with state-of-the-art engineering by design, and energy efficiency enhanced by style. Our windows are made to last for years of maintenance-free beauty.
Whether you want a soaker tub surrounded by subway tile or a low threshold shower with granite-like walls, you can customize your BathWraps space and even add accessories like soap dishes, caddies, seating, grab bars, and more Contact us today.