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Get your home ready for what lies ahead with these tips from Anthony Carrino, a home designer, developer, and contractor with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
Maintain Gutters and Vegetation
Cleaning the gutters and keeping your vegetation trimmed can actually make a big difference in the event of a major storm. If your gutters are full of debris, water rushing from your roof has no place to go, and that could mean major damage to your roof, siding, and even foundation.
Falling branches and trees can damage your home and surrounding powerlines, so monitor closely for branches that could be affected by high winds and promptly remove dead trees.
It’s also a good idea to evaluate your yard’s grading at least once a year to be sure the ground slopes away from the house to keep water from pooling against your foundation.
Avoid Power Outages with a Standby Generator
Unlike a portable generator, which can power only a few appliances, a propane-powered standby generator can be a total home solution.
A licensed technician installs the unit outside of the home and wires it to the home’s electrical system. When a power outage occurs, the generator provides supplemental electricity in as little as 10 seconds.
These standby generators are made to fit the needs of any size home and can power several major appliances, including furnaces, boilers, water heaters, cooking equipment, fireplaces, and clothes dryers.
Plus, propane is environmentally friendly and won’t degrade over time like some other fuel sources, ensuring the backup generator reliably powers your home at any time.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Review your insurance coverage at least annually, if not every six months, to stay informed about possible exclusions and to ensure you have the opportunity to increase your limits if you’ve made improvements or values have grown in your area.
An important aspect of good coverage is a thorough inventory of your possessions that details what you own and could potentially lose in a major storm. Including details like purchase price and condition may help smooth the way if you have to file a claim.
By planning ahead, you can put your family and home in a better position to ride the storm out as safely and comfortably as possible – giving you peace of mind during and after the weather-related event.
