Sadly, this year has seemed like one full of natural disasters: the Japan earthquake/tsunami, tornadoes all across the South, wildfires now burning in the southwest…every day brings us more bad news. As well as taking human life, these disasters often take our material lives as well. And while not nearly as important, can mean financial ruin for families for the rest of their lives.
Here are the more common ways that nature can harm your home, and how you can increase your home’s chances (and therefore yours as well) of surviving a worst-case-scenario:
1. Lightning Strike
Lightning strikes can start serious fires in and around your home. Poor wiring is especially dangerous and makes your home culpable. For protection, have a lightning rod installed, especially if you live on a hill or have a tall home. Also make sure wiring is up-to-date and safe – this part of often forgotten when talking about fire safety in the home.
2. Critters in the Attic
Bats, wasps, rats, etc. can burrow into the empty spaces of your attic and/or basement and create a mess that you don’t discover for years down the round if you are not vigilant. This can lead to stenches that don’t go away, as well as wiring and architectural damage. Bats can squeeze into holes as small as a fingertip, and wasps/bees even smaller. Once a month or so simply take a stroll around your house and check for holes, cracks, and anything else a critter could crawl into. Patch up as needed, and you should be safe!
3. Drought/Excessive Rain
We are applying this one mostly to your lawn. You may not think your lawn is all that important, but if it dies or succumbs to disease, you could be looking at spending thousands on ripping the whole thing up and replacing. Keep an eye on dry brown patches, and water as needed in drought conditions. Have neighbors keep an eye on it while you’re out of town. There is not much you can do about excessive rain other than take care of mowing and wedding regularly and watching it as close as you can.
4. Landslide
If you live on a hilly area, extended periods of rain and moisture can spell disaster. Decks are easy to go in mini-landslides, and if you’re not careful, whole chunks of the house. The number one preventative measure for this disaster is having a good foundation. That simple part can save thousands in dollars and stress. If you know you have a shaky foundation, take extra care in making sure you have good and clean gutters that clearly direct water away from your home.
5. Mold
Summer humidity is a breeding ground for dangerous mold spores. Mold can grow in as little as 72 hours. It may be more expensive, but make sure to run your air conditioner when it’s humid will help. Keeping it set at 77 or below (even when on vacation) will keep things healthy. Dehumidifiers are another safe bet, especially in the most moisture-prone areas of your home.
6. Tree Damage
This is one of the more common home damages during the summer time. Tornadoes and high winds can wreak havoc on yards and homes. The best way to take action against tree damage is to have a tree specialist come out and inspect what you have in your yard. They will spot things like rot and unbalanced trees that would be more likely to be uprooted in a storm. They can also trim limbs and branches to the recommended minimum of being 8-10 feet away from your home.
View the full article/gallery at This Old House right here.