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Steps to Protect the Outside of Your Home From Storms | SERVPRO of Sioux Falls
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Have you been impacted by the unusual summer storm season? SERVPRO of Sioux Falls has your back when you experience flood and water damage.
Snow, sleet, rain, wind, hail, flooding…fortunately, this is not the current forecast, but it is a short list of some of the ways your home can be damaged by weather. While we see a lot of seasonal changes and different areas have different risks, there is always something we need to be prepared for.
When you own property, your to-do list of things that need to be maintained is likely very long. Along with keeping things clean and beautiful every day, take some steps seasonally to keep your home protected from the outside when storms roll through.
While our spring and summer can be fairly mild when it comes to severe weather, we do have flooding, wildfires and thunderstorms to contend with. Winter snowmelt can mean even the slightest rain creates rivers of water. We also have strong winds that can whip through at any time of year.
In order to be the most protected from storm damage, the best place to start preparations is on the outside of your home.
Protecting your home from storms doesn’t have to be costly or hard. Most of it can be added into your regular maintenance routines. Even the kids can help!
Year-round, we can expect to face winds and rains that could leave behind damage when your home isn’t ready. Trim trees and clean out your gutters regularly, and remove loose debris from your yard to prevent broken windows or water damage. Make sure anything that lives outside permanently, like your patio furniture, is tied down, and remember to stash other loose items safely before a storm rolls in.
Any time you are outside, walk around the exterior of your home and take note of worn-out wood, gaps in your gutters or worn-down caulking. Seal windows and doors well to avoid rain leaks.
Give your roof a quick check after a big wind event and a thorough inspection four times a year. Replace loose or missing shingles right away and looks for any signs of leaks.
Preparing your home can absolutely be cost-free, but there are a few upgrades you might want to consider for the exterior of your home for an added layer of protection.
Shutters that you can close in a hurry can be a great way to protect your home from winds, and they might even help keep you a little warmer when winter snow sets in. For the same reasons, you might want to also consider changing your windows out for ones made with thicker material that can withstand more abuse. Gutter guards that close off your gutters can be a great addition for preventing debris blockages.
If you have an outbuilding on your property or live in a modular home, take a look at your foundational tie-downs and ensure you have enough to keep everything exactly where it should be.
Make sure when bad weather is predicted you have two different ways to receive weather alerts, and that everyone in your home knows where the safest place to shelter is. Call us as soon as the threat is over when you do receive damage, and we will get restoration completed fast.
Was your home damaged in a storm? Call us at SERVPRO of Sioux Falls to start restoration, 24⁄7.