When it comes to severe and unpredictable weather, such as storms, there is no telling how devastating it can be for your home. While riding out a bad storm can be unsettling for you as a homeowner, it’s important to note that your home can take a beating too!
Extreme weather can be somewhat of a common occurrence, wreaking havoc on your home’s exteriors, compromising its value, and putting your entire family at risk.
This is why your #1 Rockford IL storm damage experts advise you to take these preventative steps to minimize the damage in case of a heavy storm and keep your family safe.
1. Review Your Insurance Policy
The best way to protect your Rockford IL home is to always be prepared. Before you’re even in the path of a storm, make sure to take the time and check the policies that cover your home. Should a storm hit, you need to know that your property is covered against storm-related issues.
2. Replace Missing or Damaged Shingles
It’s very simple. If your singles are in any way damaged or weakened, they are much more likely to break free during a storm. Worse off, if they’re missing, that gives the wind a chance to get under and cause even more damage. In this case, call your Martin Exteriors team to replace them promptly and give you great peace of mind knowing that you’ll be well protected in case unpredictable weather ensues.
3. Properly Seal Your Windows and Doors
When it comes to heavy storms, properly sealing your windows and doors is a must. Even the smallest crack in the seal can let strong winds get in and rip off your shingles and siding. Depending on the severity of the wind, it could potentially end up compromising your home’s roof.
4. Make Sure Your Gutters Are Clear
Firstly, check your gutters and make sure that they are clear so that water can flow freely away from your house. And secondly, inspect whether your drainage points are all cleaned out, so as not to let water cause damage to your home foundations. If you ever find yourself in the line of a heavy storm, clean gutters are vital.
5. Fix Loose Siding
Don’t forget about your home’s exterior and check your siding as well. See if there are any loose pieces that might break away during heavy winds. As well as causing you further damage, this can also end up leaving your home’s exterior exposed to the outside elements. If you notice any unattached edges, secure them properly and promptly before a storm gets them.
6. Keep Your Trees Well-Trimmed
Here’s the problem with trees. If not properly trimmed, when a storm hits, tree limbs can not only cause severe damage to your home but they can also wreck your vehicle or in some cases, even your neighbor’s home. But by regularly trimming them, you can easily avoid any of this happening and keep everyone and everything out of harm’s way.
7. Ensure You Have a Working Generator
In case of a storm, a backup generator can go a long way in helping your home stay fully-functioning. Inspect your generator regularly to be certain it’s in working order. Find out how you can hook it up safely and make sure that it has a power source. In case it is needed after a storm, you should be well-acquainted with how it works and how much power it can generate.
If your home has suffered damage from a storm or extreme weather, there is no time to waste. Schedule a free inspection with your best Rockford IL storm damage repair specialists today and let us help you protect your home’s strength, beauty, and value for many years to come!
