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Spring and summer showers may bring flowers, but they can also bring hail, lightning and strong winds, all of which can cause significant damage to your home. A bit of storm preparation can help protect your house, your property and your loved ones from injury and harm.
Here's what to do so your home is ready for spring and summer weather.
Trim branches and trees
From providing shade to improving air quality, trees offer plenty of benefits. But they can also be a source of trouble, especially if they are overgrown or in poor health. A tree branch that hangs over your house can cause significant damage if it breaks and falls during a storm. Likewise, a branch that's near a window can be trouble during a wind storm. Dead or dying trees are weaker than healthy ones and more likely to break when there are strong winds.
As the weather warms, take stock of the trees in your yard. If you notice any that haven't gotten their leaves yet or that seem to be diseased or dying, it's a good idea to either cut them down yourself or hire a tree removal service. Pay close attention to the location of branches and cut away any that hang over your roof or that are uncomfortably close to your windows.
Repair the roof
Speaking of roofs, part of storm preparation should involve making sure your roof is in good shape. Depending on the age and condition of the roof, it might be time to repair or replace it.
"If you live in an area that sees a lot of nasty spring and summer weather, such as hailstorms and windstorms, there might be significant damage to the roof already," says Zeke Martins, Director of Sales at Guy Roofing. "Replacing a damaged roof can prevent additional problems from occurring, such as leaks. You can also choose roofing materials that are designed to withstand hail and wind, helping protect your home even more."
Protect the windows
Hail and wind don't only cause damage to your roof. They can also damage your windows. For example, hail can hit glass windows, causing them to crack and shatter. Storm shutters cover the windows on the outside of the home, lowering the risk of shattering or cracking significantly.
If a storm is coming and you don't have time to install shutters, you can hang plywood in front of the windows to protect them.
Install storage
Sometimes, it's not the hail, wind or lightning that causes damage to your home. It's the objects that you store outside. In a storm with high wind speeds, loose objects such as outdoor chairs, your kids' toys and sun umbrellas, can be picked up and tossed about by the wind.1
"To reduce the risk of your outdoor gear causing expensive damage to your home's exterior, we recommend investing in secure storage," says Martins. "Storage can include a sturdy outdoor shed or space in your garage. If you don't have time to invest in a shed or don't have room in your garage, another option is to bring your outdoor gear inside, into a basement or enclosed porch, when stormy weather is forecast."
Stock up
It's not just the exterior of your home that needs protection from stormy weather. You also want to think about how to keep your family safe in the event of inclement weather and power outages.
Think about what would happen if the power in your home were to go out for a few hours or several days. Would you lose access to running water, use of your stove and oven or the food in your refrigerator? In that case, you'll want to stock up on bottled water, no-rinse hand sanitizer and cleansing wipes, nutritious food that doesn't need cooking or refrigeration and battery-powered devices, such as radios and phones so that you can keep up with any notices or warnings.2
After a long winter, you might be excited about the warm weather spring and summer bring. Just remember that spring weather can often be just as unpleasant as winter weather. Being prepared for storms will ensure that your home and your family stay safe and sound.
Sources:
1. Department of Homeland Security
2. AccuWeather