Is your home truly safe? If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably taken measures to safeguard your home from intruders and common safety threats such as kitchen fires, poisons, or chemicals. But with natural disasters becoming more frequent in different parts of the world, it’s important to take action and protect your abode from weather events.
According to recent data, the US has experienced an average of 18 billion-dollar natural disasters per year over the past five years. As a result, more than 40 percent of homeowners are concerned that extreme weather conditions will damage their homes in the next three months.
Since climate change is fueling all these natural disasters, it’s imperative to shield your home from storms, earthquakes, and wildfires to prevent costly repairs. Here are some essential tips to fortify and protect your sanctuary.
Reinforce Windows and Doors
High winds from severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, or typhoons can damage your home since the wind can put pressure on your walls and roof, which can weaken your house’s entire structure. What’s more, debris flying through the air can break weak or fragile windows and doors. If you live in a hurricane-prone state like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, or North Carolina, think about reinforcing your doors and windows as early as possible.
To protect your property, install impact windows, which are designed to withstand high winds. These also provide a strong barrier against flying debris since they won’t shatter upon impact. Meanwhile, to reinforce your doors, upgrade to a steel door for your front door, while other doors can be upgraded to fiberglass or impact-resistant glass. You may also want to strengthen the hinges, then add storm shutters for an extra layer of protection.
Protect Your Home from Embers
The recent California wildfires have proven that it only takes a few wind-borne embers to raze towns and cities to the ground. According to Anne Cope, chief engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business Home & Safety, homeowners shouldn’t ignore the dangers of a wildfire, even if it’s happening in a town that’s far away from their community.
“Those embers could travel for miles, and it’s often the neighborhoods that are closer to the wildlands that get inundated with just loads and loads [of embers],” she says in an interview with PBS News.
A house that’s right on the path of a wildfire may be beyond saving, but there are things that you can do to protect your home from embers. First, get rid of anything that can catch fire outside your home, and that includes certain plants.
Rosemary, ornamental juniper, sagebrush, and blackberry bushes are extremely flammable, so replace them with fire-resistant plants like agave, azalea, creeping phlox, and yucca. You’ll also want to clean your yard, roof, and gutters to get rid of dead leaves, branches, and other plant matter that can catch fire. Don’t to cover exterior vents with ember mesh to prevent embers from entering and igniting your home.
Earthquake-Proof by Strengthening Structures
There has been a noticeable increase in earthquake activity over the past years, and some researchers have found a link between climate change and the frequency of earthquakes. If you live in an earthquake-prone region, think about strengthening your home’s structure to decrease the chances of serious damage.
This is a project that involves expert knowledge, so you’ll need to call in a structural engineer to do a thorough inspection of your home.
If they see faults in the foundation, they may recommend certain measures to fortify it, such as constructing a rubber and lead base to reduce the swaying or shaking of your house during an earthquake. They may also suggest an earthquake retrofit for the entire property, which involves reinforcing your home’s foundation, roof and walls to make them more resistant to seismic activity.
The effects of climate change cannot be ignored, so take active steps to protect your home from extreme weather conditions. Preventive measures such as the ones mentioned above can help you save your sanctuary if a natural disaster strikes. To get the best results, consult a professional.