Translating…
When it comes to protecting your home and all of its contents, there is nothing more important to most home owners. Water damage is one of the most feared threats to a home and can be difficult at times to fight off. Being prepared to avoid water related issues in your home by making routine inspections of things such as your plumbing and the water lines to your appliances is a great habit, however, there is another source for bringing this problem to your door step that you should think about. Storms are responsible for many water related issues in homes that are reported each year, so you should be conscious of the threat of water that comes with the next storm headed your way.
Being prepared to ride out a storm without suffering from water damage in your home does not have to be difficult to plan for. You just have to be willing to take the time to think about what places in your home may be vulnerable to water intrusion should a storm come with a heavy down pour of rain. There are some places in your home that will be obvious, while there will be others that will not be so obvious. When speaking about preparing your home to weather a storm, most people will think of being sure that all of the windows and doors are closed and there is nothing left open to expose the interior of the home to the elements. While this is true and definitely something that a home owner should do in preparation, it is only the start of a process that should be second nature to you when you know that a big storm is headed your way.
Besides the obvious areas mentioned above that can become problems, there are other parts of your home that should be made ready also. It is good to make a habit out of checking these other areas before you hear of a storm coming. Your gutters should always remain clean and unobstructed and the shingles on your roof should all be accounted for and in good shape. These items were placed on your home to keep it protected from water but they can only work well if you maintain them well. Be sure that any additional drainage systems you may have around your home stays free of debris so that it can usher the water away from your foundation quickly, the way it was designed to do. Once all of these items have been checked and are in good condition and clear of any debris, your preventative measures have been completed.
When a storm rolls in, it is in your home’s best interest for you to remain inside and monitor how the house is holding up during the duration of the storm. With severe storms usually comes a heavy down pour of rain that can last for several hours if the storm is strong enough. Along with the heavy rain can be strong winds that are capable of removing materials from the outside of your home if given the chance. You will want to pay close attention to what is going on while inside your home. It would be good to keep all electronics turned down or off so that you can hear if anything gets damaged during the course of the storm. If you have easy access to your attic during a long storm that brings with it a heavy down pour of rain, you should go into the attic with a strong flash light and inspect the ceiling and floors for any signs of dampness or water. You never know when your roof may spring a small leak and during a strong rain is the best time to test the ceiling of your attic for leaks in the roof that would otherwise go undetected.
You can easily avoid destruction of your home from water as the result of a storm by being ready and available to respond immediately if something happens.