You cannot stop the storms but you can protect your home from these storms. This year, many areas were affected by floods and heavy rainstorms all around the world. Climate change and hurricanes have left many people homeless. Therefore, protecting your property to the maximum is essential. The storms leave us at the mercy of rain, hail, snow, and wind. The financial, emotional and physical stress becomes too much to handle when you are facing the losses after storms. However, you can use these tips to prepare your house before a storm and hence, protect your belongings.
Windows Protection
The rain can beach windows during a storm. It can either seep through the broken window panes or through gaps in the seals. Keeping the water outside during a storm is very important. When a storm forecast hits your local news, you should immediately start taking proactive measures against the storm. You can install exterior shutters to protect your windows or use plywood to add a protective layer. Though these protective layers do not look pretty, however; they are very effective when it comes to protecting your windows.
Boards stand firm against strong storms and they prove to be effective most of the time. Therefore, ensure that your windows are protected and the seals are refreshed before the storm hits your house.
Remove Objects from the Deck
All your decorative and other objects must be removed from the deck before the storm hits your town. These objects can crash through doors and windows and the flying objects can cause major damage to your building as well as the adjacent properties. Therefore, it is important to remove the lawn chairs, pots, patio table, and umbrellas, hanging lights, water hoses and wind chimes from the deck, lawn and patio before the storm. Water damage restoration in Alexandria VA can help you deal with the water damages and leaks after a storm, but it is always better to be proactive.
Remove Appliances
The electric appliances should not be in use when the storm forecast confirms the severity of the situation. All the appliances should be unplugged to prevent them from power surges. A power surge is expected during or after a storm. Therefore, protecting your washer, dryer, oven and all other electricity-based appliances is very important.
Trees & Plants
The trees and plants are a blessing to improve the appearance of your landscape. They also prove to be beneficial for your health. However, broken branches during a storm can hit your windows or damage your car. Therefore, remove all the broken or lose branches from your lawn. You can also trim the branches if there is enough time available.
Protect Your Car
Your car should not be left outside on the driveway or roads when a storm is about to hit your town. Make sure your car is parked in a safe and protected space. It should preferably be in your own garage if you have a garage. Otherwise, you can park it in a protected parking lot.
Leave the Ground Floor
If a flash flood is expected after the rainstorm or if flood is confirmed due to hurricanes, then you should move to the higher level of the building. All the expensive belongings and materials should also be shifted to a higher level of your house. The essential documents, television, kitchen appliances, living room decorations, and even furniture should also be removed from the ground floor.
You should also move laptops, chargers, phones, passports and all other small but important objects to the higher level. It is better to place sandbags both on the inside and outside of the doors. These sandbags prevent water from entering the property. In case of a severe flood, you should move everything on your upper floor and leave the town to protect yourself and your family from the damages. Your property and possessions are replaceable and some of them are even insured. However, human life is irreplaceable. Therefore, protecting your life as well as your family from the storm should be your highest priority.
Take Care of Your Pets
When you are planning to protect your home, you should not forget your pets. Ensure that your pets are safe and secured in a protected place with easy access to food and clean water. If you cannot keep your pets with you during the storm, then you can leave them in high-quality animal shelters or at a friend or family member’s place which is not under threat of the flood.
Protecting Your Basement
You can protect your basement from flooding by getting your drainage system checked by the professionals. You should also ensure that the gutters are clean and unclogged. Moreover, the professionals can extend your downspouts and install a backflow valve.
Staying Proactive
The water damage in Alexandria VA can be repaired by hiring professional companies. These damages are reduced by staying proactive and following the above-mentioned precautionary measures. Even though the recovery and cleanup process can be very overwhelming, it is better to call the professionals and let them repair the damages.
