Protecting Your Home from the Weather

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

19 Feb 2009 09:31 AM

The weather can wreck havoc on your home no matter where you live. Here are some of the common weather occurrences and what you can do to protect your home from extreme weather, both in the short term and the long term.

Hail

Yesterday was a crazy weather day for us. There was rain, snow and finally hail. Of the three, I was most worried about hail. It can really cause damage to your home requiring major repairs even damaging your belongings. One way to reduce your risk of damage from hail is to install impact-resistant roofing. There is a scale from 1-4 that rates impact resistance in roofing. a Class 4 offers the best protection.

Rain

Whether it is a soft rain or a hard rain, the moisture can cause leaks which lead to damage in your home. Check out two earlier posts that can help keep your home dry: How to Care for Your Roof and Keeping Your Basement Dry.

Wind

Strong winds are a big concern because they can threaten not only your home but your family as well. I know that whenever we have strong winds I get pretty nervous. Wind can damage your home in one of two ways. It can cause something to impact your home, from a garbage can to a tree limb, or it can put structural pressure on your home that could cause it to collapse or parts of it to blow away.

You need to be able to keep the wind from getting inside of your home. A contractor can help you strengthen your home's wind resistance. Use nails for asphalt shingles instead of staples for your roof, and use a hammer instead of a nail gun. Windows can be fitted with impact resistant glass or can be covered with strong shutters to prevent debris from causing a disaster. Strong doors will also help seal your home. Use solid food or hollow metal doors for the best wind resistance.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Winter Weather Terms (1)

Winter Weather Terms (2)

Winter Weather Terms (3)

Snow, Ice and Your Home

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger