Protecting Your Home From Storm Damage
Let’s talk about storms in Seattle. Just this past weekend, we had a couple of events surrounding a Friday night thunderstorm. The first one of the events is that a neighbors’ house was struck by lightning. No one was hurt, but there were literally holes in her ceiling and through the walls. Simultaneously, unbeknownst to us, our rental was flooding from all of the rain. Needless to say, storms and “acts of God” are on the mind and can be pretty expensive and difficult to deal with.
Today, I received this guest article from Natalie Jones of HomeownerBliss discussing storms and how to prevent damage and stay warm and dry.
As a homeowner, you might have any number of worries — keeping the lawn in good shape, repairing leaks, and generally maintaining your home. One major area of concern for anyone with a house, however, is turbulent weather, which can wreak havoc on your home and lead to costly repairs. Depending on where you live, you're more likely to encounter certain types of bad weather. Your whole home is susceptible to damage, with your roof being at the highest risk.
Here are a few problems you might encounter — and how to avoid them.
Types of Storm Damage
Winter Storms
Blizzards can cause heavy snow to pile up on your roof, bring down power lines, and rip shingles off your home. You should also be on the lookout for ice dams: water that gets trapped beneath a layer of ice on your roof, leading to leaks and mold.
Hail
Hail storms frequently occur in the summer months and can cause invisible damage to your home. If you've experienced a hailstorm, keep an eye out for cracked shingles and bent pipes. Some hail damage can lead to leaks in your roof, eventually causing serious structural damage. Know what to look for around the exterior of your home after a hail storm.
Windstorms
High winds may not seem too bad — but even a single blustery day can rip shingles off your roof. In more extreme scenarios, high winds can break windows, damage piping, and cause trees and power lines to fall onto your home.
Rain and Thunderstorms
No matter where you live in the United States, odds are you'll have to deal with rain and thunderstorms at some point. Constant rain can cause leaks and mold in your roof, and lightning strikes can lead to fires or other electrical damage.
How to Protect Your Home
While there's nothing you can do to prevent storms from happening, you can protect your home from long-term damage by checking for problems as soon as it is safe to do so. It’s also a good idea to secure loose items around your home, such as patio furniture and small decor, to ensure that they don’t cause damage in high winds.
Sealing your doors and windows securely before a storm can help prevent water from entering your home. It can also prevent wind from pushing your roof upward from the inside, which can cause damage. Make sure to keep your gutters clear, and call in a professional if you do spot any damage; catching it early means that you're significantly less likely to run into expensive problems later on.
Should You Repair Your Roof Before You Sell?
If you're planning to sell your home, maintenance is even more vital — repairing years' worth of storm damage at once is costly and time consuming. However, if you only have minor damage to your roof, the question of whether to repair it becomes more complicated.
A damaged roof can be a bargaining chip for a potential buyer, and you’ll probably get a lower price for your home. In fact, repairing the roof before you put your home on the market can fetch around $2,800 more when it sells. It's an excellent idea to get your home inspected before you list it so that you'll know exactly what investments you might have to make. Compare it to other homes on the market to help you figure out where you stand. If you're still not sure, you might consider hiring a specialist to examine your roof and give you a better idea of whether repairs are necessary.
No matter what you decide to do, there's no doubt that continued maintenance saves money in the long term. A general rule of thumb is to plan to spend $1 per square foot for annual maintenance. Being aware of the risks of inclement weather and knowing how to plan ahead ensures that you can protect your most valuable asset.