Weather can sometimes be unpredictable and harsh, especially with climate change looming around us. Wherever your house may be, extreme weather and natural disasters may occur unexpectedly. Given this, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Old houses might be susceptible to major damage, especially during the rainy season. Apart from maintaining old houses, it is just as important to properly maintain even new homes so that you can prevent any further damage.
Given the unpredictability of the weather, it is always better to be prepared early on. Make sure you are updated with home repairs and maintenance to ensure family safety. Prepare your home for any weather during the dry season to make it easier to do repairs.
Preparing for Any Weather
No one hopes to experience a natural disaster, but we have no control over such events. There is no such thing as a disaster-proof house but there are ways that can help prevent your home from incurring damage from such unpredictable occurrences.
Here are ways that can help manage damage from extreme weather conditions.
The months before the rainy season is the perfect time to check on needed repairs and maintenance for your home. This will allow you to set aside enough daytime to finish these repairs without the hassle of rain interruption.
One of the first things to check when doing a routine survey of your home is to check the quality of your roofing. You might need to contact a reliable metal roofing company if your old roof has started showing signs of damage. Don’t wait for the rainy season to come by and drip all over your sofa.
Repair any winter damage if necessary. Check your gutters and your lower roof for ice dams that you may need to eliminate.
When checking your roof for ice, make sure to do this later in the afternoon to make sure the ice has melted. This will help you avoid ice-related accidents that might occur during your survey.
Check your exterior siding for damage and need repairs. This is also the time to clean and replace window screens that might be broken. These screens help prevent insects from entering the home so it is important in keeping your family and your kitchen safe and clean.
Paint your home exterior if needed. It is crucial that you do this before the onset of the rainy season to avoid any inconvenience. Whether your repainting job is for maintenance or for a fresh new look, remember to finish it before the rain starts to pour.
Check your HVAC system for maintenance services needed. Properly maintaining your residential HVAC system will save you a lot of money on repairs and on your monthly electricity bills. It will keep your system running efficiently and effectively.
Also, check your fire extinguisher and smoke detectors if they are still properly working. You might need to replace any batteries or the whole unit if it has started to degrade in quality.
These are some ways to properly maintain a home in ensuring you do your best in protecting it from the damage from natural disasters. Extreme weather can sometimes catch us off-guard so it is always best to be prepared for whatever happens when you are at home.
Family Emergency Plan
In keeping your home safe, you are also keeping your whole family safe and secure from the possible aftermath of a natural disaster. Whether you are facing an incoming summer season or rainy season, it is important to always be prepared with the essentials in times of emergency.
Being prepared at home means you have to have an emergency survival kit that is accessible to all. Your emergency survival kit should not only include medical essentials but also food and water that can last you up to 3 days in extreme cases.
Your kit should also include a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, a whistle, and a manual can opener. These are some things you should keep in your emergency kit to ensure that you are ready for whatever happens.
Part of being prepared for any emergency or natural disaster is having an evacuation plan. This can apply to earthquakes and floods.
Make sure all people in your household are aware of your emergency protocols. Try to schedule emergency drills now and then to keep everyone updated and refreshed.
Practicing an emergency evacuation plan will minimize injury and damage that may be caused by panic due to the situation.
These are things you and your family should prepare for to ensure your safety during unfortunate events. It is important to build an emergency kit and to establish emergency protocols early on to avoid as much damage as possible.
Damage-proof homes may not exist but there are many ways to arm yourself with enough knowledge and protection to minimize damage and injury during emergencies.