Worrying about property damage and trying to prevent it wherever possible comes with being a homeowner. Vulnerabilities in your home can weaken its structural integrity or help cause considerable damage that is expensive to fix.
A home provides the roof under which your family lives, and it’s also a nest egg that stabilizes your long-term finances. Many home improvements aim to make it more comfortable and increase its resale value. With major natural disasters on the rise, it is wise to make improvements that reduce the odds of them harming your home.
So long as you have lined up all your inspections and permits, here are some project ideas to safeguard your home from fires, floods, or other extreme weather events.
Update the Roof
The roof of your home withstands a lot of punishment from the elements. From things like rain and snow to high winds and falling trees, your roof is often a shield protecting your home. Common roofing materials like asphalt shingles last for roughly 15 to 30 years, depending on the intensity of the damage they face.
If you live in a wildfire zone, you may want to get a roof made of metal, tiles, or a composite. These materials are more fire-resistant than wood or asphalt and they do a wonderful job keeping the elements out.
Outdoor Storage That’s Safe
Combustibles like propane need to be stored safely and far away from your home. You don’t want them anywhere near your home if there’s a fire, or you can imagine what will happen.
Avoid storing propane tanks anywhere indoors, like a garage or shed. The place you keep them should be well-ventilated and flat so they don’t tip over. If there are any other flammable materials where you store your propane tanks, keep them at least 10 feet away.
Pipes Need Insulation
A home’s pipes do yeoman’s work, even if they are neatly tucked out of sight. If there is a really cold snap during winter, the pipes can freeze, causing extensive water damage inside. Keeping your pipes insulated helps prevent this from occurring.
Some people rely on electrical heat cables to warm up pipes if there is a deep freeze. What if there is a power outage, which can happen during extreme weather events? It’s better to rely on a low-tech way to protect your home and keep your pipes sufficiently warm. A frozen, burst pipe is a nightmare and an expensive nightmare, too.
Wildfires Are More Common
If you live in an arid area prone to wildfires, there may be steps you can take to mitigate your risk, but preventing one from occurring is impossible. Ensure you have ample fire home insurance and know all the details of your policy.
It does not hurt to redo your roof with materials that resist flames. In fact, all the exterior-facing parts of your home should be flame-resistant, such as the eaves, decks, and even the rain gutters. If you’re BBQing in your backyard, ensure it’s far enough away from any wooden fencing.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. You may not be able to stop them from happening, but taking measures to protect your home can only help.
