Storms are a fact of life in the summer months, and can range from a light drizzle to a full on torrential downpour. And while your home and covers for outdoor furniture can handle some run-of-the-mill rainfall, some preparation will be necessary to ensure your home and outdoor accessories can tackle the more intense storms that are bound to make landfall this summer.
Gutter Ball
Your home’s gutters are on the frontline during a summer storm, so it’s crucial that you give them a thorough inspection and cleaning ahead of any heavy rainfall.
Don’t delay clearing out all the leaves and debris that have accumulated over the seasons. This will ensure that your gutters can handle an intense amount of water flow. And make sure to have your covers for outdoor furniture in place as you toss down all the accumulated gunk.
Leak-proofed
Another feature of your home that will require thorough inspection are spots where leaks are most likely to spring. The most common areas for this annoyance to make an appearance are your roof and skylights.
Dealing with leak-prone spots ahead of late summer storms will save you plenty of stress in the long run. If you’re not feeling up to tackle the task yourself, you can call up a professional to patch any existing leaks and reinforce the area to ensure that no water makes its way in.
Generator Greatness
For every heavy storm that shows up during summer, there runs the risk that a downed power line will leave you and your family without electricity. While a long term outage isn’t likely, investing in a generator is worth considering.
Even a smaller generator can provide enough power to your home when you need it most. Make sure to give it a test run ahead of time for assurance that everything is in working order.
Side Show
The siding of your home is especially vulnerable to the intense winds and rains that come with strong storms. Even the most minor crack in siding can result in serious issues following inclement weather.
Take the time to fill up any cracks or holes in your siding with weatherproof caulking. It’s also wise to protect your siding with measures such as a tarp that can bear the brunt of the rain fall.
World of Weatherstrips
Windows and points of entry, including your front door and garage doors will benefit greatly from the addition of weatherstripping to their frames. High quality weatherstrips effectively insulate weak framing and keep water and drafts from entering your home.
Storm Storage
Protecting your outdoor furniture and accessories from storms is as simple as storing them away when rain is on the horizon. Gather your potted plants, sports equipment, cushions and their cushion cover, and similar small items and tuck them away in your garage or garden shed.
Surefire Secured
Larger, freestanding structures in your babyproofed backyard will need to be properly secured prior to a storm. This can be achieved using a number of methods, the most common of which is covering the structure with a tarp and securing it to the ground using stakes or heavy weights.
Front Cover
There’s a chance you have some backyard accessories that can’t be moved to storage ahead of a storm. Whether they’re bolted to the ground or simply too large for keeping in the garage, they will require protection for when a storm rolls in.
Weatherproofed covers for outdoor furniture will keep your accessories in shape no matter what Mother Nature throws their way. From a waterproof sofa cover to machine covers, you can cover just about anything in preparation for a summer storm.
Tree Trimming
Strong winds present some of the biggest hazards in a summer storm. Branches can be ripped from trees and fall onto your home and waterproof sofa cover or block up your yard. Spend an afternoon trimming your yard’s trees and bushes, making sure to cut as close as possible without leaving things barren.
Shutter Down
Your home’s windows are vulnerable to strong winds as well. If you have concerns about the possibility of broken windows, investing in storm shutters may be worth your while.
Storm shutters shield windows from debris picked up by strong gusts. They can be purchased at most hardware stores, are easy to install, and can be painted to match the exterior of your home so they can match your chosen aesthetic perfectly.
Safe Keeping
When it comes to keeping your valuables safe, you can never be too careful. In the hours ahead of a storm, move valuables away from vulnerable spots in your home such as windows and doors. Keep them stored in an interior room until the storm passes.
For extra peace of mind, you can invest in a weatherproof safe for storing important documents and irreplaceable items. A summer storm may be strong, but a well-built safe is stronger.
Storm Watching
Keeping a watchful eye on the weather is the simplest way to prepare your home for storms. Make a habit of checking the forecast each morning, and opt in to emergency weather alerts on your phone in case of a surprise afternoon shower that may be more intense than a drizzle.
Recent Comments