Destructive Storms Ahead: 5 Steps to a Protected Home
Use our Storm Damage Prevention Checklist below to protect your home from strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and other unpredictable destruction.
Rising temperatures may have us thrilled to spend time outdoors again, but too many homeowners forget that spring also brings relentless storms that are anything but pleasant.
This year's rains haven't wasted any time, causing record flooding from the time the mercury rose above freezing, and hitting those families without basic protection the hardest. As we finally move past winter's heavy ice, snow, and salt, now is the time to make sure your shelter is nurtured from last season's harsh conditions, and prepared for those ahead.
Use the Storm Damage Prevention Checklist below to protect your home from strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and other unpredictable destruction:
Check for weak spots in your driveway, sidewalk, and foundation. Winter's inevitable freeze-thaw cycle could have caused cracking, leaking, and other vulnerabilities in your toughest and most important building materials.
Have your roof inspected at least annually, guaranteeing your materials, including the gutters, shingles, chimney, and more, stay in place and in working condition.
Reinforce doors, windows, siding, and garage doors, bracing with extra support and sealing seams and joints where needed to maintain structural stability.
Trim back encroaching trees and branches that are vulnerable or have gotten too close to your home, and dispose of lingering landscape debris.
Watch for oncoming storms and clean up or anchor down simple outdoor items that can become dangerous in high winds, from grills and furniture, to HVAC units and sheds, making sure to store vehicles safely as well.
One neglected repair can make the difference between an intact and a destroyed home after a storm. By following these best practices, you'll maintain long-lasting materials and peace of mind throughout the seasons.