4 Effective Ways To Disaster-Proof Your Home
Natural disasters are unavoidable, and the US has had its fair share. Additionally, the damage is expensive to resolve, with reports indicating that the wildfires of 2021 alone cost $2.3 million. However, it is not all doom and gloom, as you can prevent or possibly minimize the impact on your home. Below are a few ways to disaster-proof your property.
- Regular home inspection
It’s likely that you may have arranged for a home inspection before purchasing your property. But how long ago was that? Your home could well benefit from another thorough examination. Small problems are far easier and less expensive to resolve before they evolve into larger, more costly problems. It is advisable to conduct a yearly home inspection, keeping an eye out for common problems like cracks in your foundations and walls, missing shingles and visible leaks, and door or window damages. If you discover anything that needs repair, you can DIY or hire professionals immediately to address the problem, depending on the severity.
- Get the right insurance
Consider getting insurance against potential disasters that might hit your property. This is especially crucial if you live in a disaster-prone area. According to reports, there are approximately two out of three US homes with inadequate coverage to safeguard against financial losses. Most homeowner policies may not cover disasters like earthquakes and floods. However, it can be useful to talk to your insurer to learn if you need to purchase any additional policies to protect yourself completely.
- Update your windows
Your windows can be the weakest point in your home. For instance, radiant waves from a disaster such as a wildfire might shatter your windows and cause flames to enter your house. Since single-pane windows are the most vulnerable, investing in double-pane windows with tempered glass can be useful. If you live in a location prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, it is critical to protect your windows during hurricane season. Fortunately, there are some hurricane window protectors you can install to safeguard your property. Preparing your property for these occurrences reduces costly repairs. In some locations, installing hurricane management upgrades may even result in an insurance reduction.
- Tweak your landscaping
Your landscape can do a lot for your property when it comes to disasters. For example, safeguarding your property from floods will be difficult if it is built with a lot of non-porous materials that don’t soak up water. In this case, you can dig swales to direct flowing water away from your property, use an absorbent mulch to reduce floods, and convert asphalt or concrete pathways to gravel and brick. You can also install a barrel beneath the gutter downspout to reduce basement flooding and pollution in local rivers. Additionally, keep your home’s foundation moisture-constant to prevent rainwater from percolating into the ground underneath your property.
Even if your home isn’t at risk of disaster, it is best to take necessary precautions. This way, should disaster strike, the financial impact and damage can be less. The whole idea may appear daunting, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
