Storm Preparation Tips

Everybody has their own opinion of storms. Some people like them and others are traumatized by them. Still, regardless of personal feelings, everyone can agree that severe thunderstorms can be destructive and have the potential to cause serious damage to both property and human lives. 

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to better prepare your home against Mother Nature’s fits of anger. Shanco is the area’s leading exterior home repair company, and we have a wealth of knowledge after repairing countless homes post-storm. We will share some of the most effective storm preparation tips so you can protect your home, yourself, and your family during the next big storm.

Why Prepare Your Home for a Storm?

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, in 2020, the United States experienced several severe thunderstorms that caused a total of around 81.8 billion dollars in damage. It is important to note that this does not include moderate storms that cause damage around the country daily and is only a reflection of the most severe cases of inclement weather. Storm preparation tips not only save you money but they protect your life and the lives of those around you.

  • Inspect the Roof
  • Inspect Your Gutters
  • Window and Door Seals
  • Storm Preparation Tips for Wind Damage

How to Prepare for a Storm

Thanks to modern-day weather technology, we typically have days, if not weeks, notice for incoming inclement weather. You should use this time to prepare for the worst because no matter what the weather report says, an incoming storm can always be worse than initially reported. In the words of John Maxwell, “It’s better to prepare than to repair,” and this is especially in the case of storms.

Inspect the Roof

One of the first things you want to inspect when preparing your home for a storm is the state of your roof. The roof is one of the most common things to be damaged, so this is a great time to nail down any loose shingles or nails as well as repair any damaged flashing.

Inspect Your Gutters

Gutters are your home’s first line of defense against water, which can cause extensive damage to the structure and foundation of your home if not properly rerouted. If you know there is an incoming storm, take this time to inspect your gutters.

When you are checking your gutters, you want to make sure that you clean out any debris so that the water can freely flow through the gutter and not down the side of your home. You also want to check the seams and ensure they are securely fastened so that no water can escape at these notoriously weak points.

Window and Door Seals

Windows and doors are the main entry points, and they commonly sustain damage during a severe storm. Before a storm comes, you should check the seals around your windows and doors and ensure that there are no weak spots where water can enter your home. If not adequately sealed, the water will get inside and can ruin your furniture, flooring, walls and cause harmful mold growth that will cost thousands to remediate after the storm.

Storm Preparation Tips for Wind Damage

High winds are the leading cause of most damage caused during a severe thunderstorm, so you should take extra care here to minimize the damage caused to your own and the surrounding properties. Wind can cause direct or indirect damage by either blowing part of a structure away or blowing something into a structure.

The best way to prepare for a severe wind storm is to secure any outside furniture or other objects such as basketball goals, trampolines, plants, trash cans, swings, and anything else that is not attached to a foundation. An excellent place to store these objects is either inside the house or in the garage. If you can’t do either, we suggest tying them down to a solid structure.

Another thing to inspect before a wind storm is any dead branches or branches hanging over your home. Cutting these branches down before the storm comes will prevent them from falling through the roof, which would then lead to a host of other problems.

If the winds are severe enough (60-150+ mph), you may even want to consider boarding up your windows. The screw holes left in the frame will be much easier to repair than an entire window and the resulting damage in the instance they break.

Shanco Home Storm Protection

Shanco is the area’s leader in exterior home improvement and repair, and we have seen firsthand the kind of damage caused by severe storms. Hopefully, these tips helped you better understand how to prepare for a storm. If you aren’t sure if you can do it yourself, give us a call and schedule an inspection. One of our professionals can come out and let you know what needs to be fixed so your home can withstand the next big storm.