Protect your home from storms

While you can’t control the weather, there are measures you can take to help minimise the damage storms could cause to your home.

There are many places that could sustain storm damage, such as the roof, windows, and doors.

You can take measures to protect and reinforce them, which will most likely reduce the damage.

Consider hiring a professional to inspect these specific parts of your home, which will ensure that they are stable and in good shape, and most importantly can withstand the elements of most storms.

Check doors for any missing screws or loose hinges. Keep your windows intact with upgrades such as shutters or high-impact glass.

Make sure your gutters are clear of any debris. Water damage or flooding is one of the quickest ways to devalue your home.

So ensuring your gutters are clear is the first line of defence in helping water to flow away from your home.

Keep trees that are near your home trimmed to avoid large branches from damaging your house during a storm.

Powerful winds and dense rain or hail can cause weak branches to snap and fall on cars, power lines, or homes.

A roof in good condition can shield your home’s interior from the storm outside.

So roof work is another essential step in preparing your house to withstand a severe storm.

Apply sealing around your home’s chimney.

This will help prevent water from seeping into your home.

Hire a contractor to check the structural integrity of the roof system.

• Information obtained from www.resolvebylowes.com, www.reinbrechthomes.com, and www.nahb.org