Nine Things to Do to Weatherproof Your Homes

“It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home” - Anonymous.

It has been said that our homes are shelters from storms—all sorts of storms.

That said, we need to fortify our domestic structures and ensure that we are more than adequately protected, whatever the weather or season may be. As it is, you cannot always plan for every contingency, and the weather will always remain unpredictable. However, you can always prepare ahead, and to do this, you need to outfit your homes in such a way that it can withstand even the most extreme conditions.

Today, hurricanes and typhoons have become more commonplace. More importantly, they have become forces to be reckoned with—so much so that they cause devastation along their path. As a tropical country, we often deal with inclement weather, heavy rains, floods, and strong winds that can severely damage property. All that considered, home safety is paramount. It should be a priority even before a storm hits. In addition to this, you need to do regular maintenance all over the house to ensure that it is in excellent and top condition. After all, you can never be prepared for anything. Whether you just moved into a house and lot in Pampanga or have been living in your home for a while, it is so much better to plan ahead than simply manage the consequences if there is a calamity.

One of the first things you should consider is to do all maintenance and repairs even before the rains and calamity strike. Part of keeping your family safe and worry-free is to plan in a timely manner. With that in mind, be sure to survey and observe your home to make sure everything is in perfect working order. The items below will help you determine and prioritize the critical things in weatherproofing your homes.

1.) CHECK YOUR ROOF FOR ANY HOLES

One of the first things you should do before the rain starts is to check your roof for any holes and leaks and seal them properly. Unfortunately, most homeowners make the mistake of only checking their roofs and doing maintenance work once they discover the water is leaking from the ceiling. Dealing with a leaking roof once the problem has already presented itself means that you are compelled to catch dripping water with a bucket. That said, it is so much better to stop leaks before they even start. All that considered, be sure to check your roof at least twice a year to get ahead of leaks and holes.

2.) CLEAN GUTTERS IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME

More often than not, the problem is not so much with the structural integrity of your house but rather its cleanliness and maintenance. To facilitate the steady and uninterrupted flow of water, especially during heavy rains, it is imperative to clean gutters in and around your home. Make sure that they are completely devoid of debris, as gutters are primarily responsible for preventing any flooding, seepage, or backflow. As part of regular maintenance, you need to take out any blockage and flush any remaining dirt with water. Also, be sure that all of your gutters are adequately and appropriately attached to ensure that they do not easily fly off in the event of a heavy storm.

3.) TRIM TREES

As a responsible homeowner, you should make sure that your trees do not have extending and weak branches. More importantly, they should not be overgrown so that they do not break off in the event of strong winds and inclement weather. Before the rainy months, be sure to secure any trees prone to falling or bending with a sturdy rope and trim dead or weak branches. You may also want to consider investing in sandbags if you live in a rather flood-prone area to help you keep water out of your property. Be sure to position them strategically to ensure maximum property protection.

4.) BRING OUTDOOR ITEMS INSIDE

If you have any outdoor or patio furniture, grills, and the like, you may want to take them inside the house or secure them properly. This is to avert the danger of them flying off and hitting your windows or glass doors. For items that are too big to bring indoors, however, be sure to cover them with plastic or any firm and heavy fabric, as this will prevent water damage in the event of inclement weather. Also, secure the covers as they may quickly fly off with high and strong winds.

5.) MAKE SURE ALL DOORS WORK PROPERLY

To ensure that you can keep the rain outside and your property dry, make sure that all of your doors and windows work properly. Maintenance work requires you to clean sliding doors and window tracks so that they can be tightly sealed and keep the rain away. Also, check your walls and ceilings for any holes and cracks where water may seep through. If there are any, seal the openings with concrete caulk. Keep in mind that excess moisture can damage walls and are detrimental to paint as it causes it to crack or peel. That said, it is better to get ahead of these problems before they even manifest themselves in the event of a rainstorm.

6.) CHECK FOR ANY LOOSE WIRING

Survey your house for any loose wiring, whether it may be inside or outside your home. Also, be attentive to power outages or surges, as this can be the leading cause of appliance destruction. To address this, protect your appliances by buying the appropriate voltage regulators or unplugging small ones when they are not in use. Also, remove any lightbulbs you may have outside and cover light fixtures as well.

7.) PROTECT WOODEN FURNITURE AND FLOORS

Your wooden furniture and floors are vulnerable to rain and may be damaged by heavy showers and storms. To prevent this, protect them from water and moisture with regular waxing or sealing. In this way, you can give these items a degree of waterproofing and prevent them from rotting or expanding.

8.) STORE ANY ITEMS THAT MAY GET WET

If you have any carpets, rugs, curtains, and other items that may potentially get wet, it is best that you store them away in the event of an oncoming storm. However, be sure that they are washed and cleaned before putting away to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

9.) ENSURE THAT STORM WINDOWS ARE INSTALLED CORRECTLY

If your home is outfitted with older windows, be sure that your storm windows are in good shape and closed correctly and all the way through. Check all of your storm windows and make sure that they are in good condition as they help provide you an additional layer of protection.

OTHER SIMPLE WAYS TO WEATHERPROOF YOUR HOME

a.) MAKE WALL REPAIRS

If you have noticed that sections of your wall render are cracked or puffed out (also known as “blown”), or if pointing loose or missing, you need to ensure that this is addressed before the inclement weather and water start to penetrate and cause damage. This is best checked by a professional to rule out any structural issues your house may have. For safety, kindly ask them to carry out any repairs that involve working at height. Repairing smaller cracks is a maintenance job you can do yourself by removing any loose material and filling them with an appropriate product. If repainting is necessary, be sure to use quality masonry paint as it will withstand all weather, and its color will stay vivid throughout the years.

b.) SPRUCE UP YOUR FRONT DOOR

Survey your front door and determine what can be done to improve it. Remove old and tired paintwork, then re-coat it. Also, you may want to take this opportunity to replace any old door furniture you may have. If you are buying a new letterbox, check that all the bolts are fitted and that they go through the door the same distance apart as the old one. Wipe all of the woodwork, including door and window frames, to remove any dirt and grime. Lastly, check if everything is in working order.

c.) CLEAN YOUR GARDEN

A clean and immaculate exterior is the hallmark of a well-kept home. However, it is also one of the quickest ways to reveal any maintenance issues that could be dealt with before they get any worse. Clear any fallen leaves and excess soil from paths, paving, and decking to stop them from becoming slippery hazards. Also, clean your deck with a stiff brush and pressure wash it to blast any surface dirt away. Lastly, inspect your shed roofs to ensure that there are no gaps and tears that could let rainwater in.

BOTTOMLINE

You cannot always foresee any calamity, but you can be adequately prepared for it. Keep the tips above in mind to ensure that your family and home are safe in the event of rainstorms, typhoons, and inclement weather. Remember, home safety and maintenance are paramount—and you should always be prepared no matter the situation.