With all the news about powerful hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, unstoppable tornadoes, destructive hails, and damaging strong winds and gusts, it’s not unreasonable to start thinking about protecting your home from storm damage. You can’t just sit and do nothing about unpredictable weather disturbances that are yet to come. Every state in the U.S. is at risk of severe weather conditions, with some experiencing more of such undesirable conditions than others. It is therefore important to be prepared and to do something to make your home more resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Enhancing Structural Integrity

This sort of sounds like you are preparing for war: a war against nature’s wrath. It is a basic step to prepare the structural integrity of your home to withstand strong winds and other weather-related damages. Enhancing your home’s structural integrity primarily covers three aspects: water flow control, irrigation, and window integrity.

Roofs should be made ready to handle destructive gusts and hails. If there are small cracks or leaks, they should be immediately repaired. Roofs are estimated to have a typical life span of 25 years. If your roof is older than this, it is advisable to have it replaced. Additionally, based on a New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) research, it is better to have roofs with multiple slopes, as they do better in withstanding strong winds.

When it comes to home water flow control, it is advised to have backflow valves installed on toilets and sinks to prevent floodwater from getting into the house. Likewise, it is advisable to have waterproof veneers around a house to keep even shallow floodwater from seeping in. This also prevents moisture and the possibility of mold and mildew infestation.

Windows should also be given attention. They need to be replaced if they are already old and dilapidated. Having window shutters is recommended. Additionally, windows have to be checked to make sure that they can provide full insulation during the winter. If windows have cracks or holes in them, they will make it difficult for a home heating system to maintain the desired temperature. This can mean high electricity or heater fuel costs.

Building a Storm and Tornado Shelter

If you are in a place that is frequently struck by tornadoes and powerful hurricanes, having a storm and tornado shelter is a must. It is becoming increasingly important to build this section in every house. It is not a very expensive investment, but it is bound to provide the right kind of protection against destructive weather phenomena. It does not have to be an underground room. It only has to be a well-reinforced structure that can provide temporary shelter against tornadoes and destructive winds that are strong enough to uproot trees and tear down homes.

Power Supply

As you upgrade your home, it helps to integrate an emergency power supply system you can easily tap into. This power supply system can be a set of high capacity batteries (like automotive batteries) or a generator. You will need this emergency power backup to keep essential electronic devices running when there is power outage. Losing your heater during a freezing winter, for example, can be disastrous. Likewise, you would need a way to call for help in case you are trapped inside your home. You will need emergency power supply to run your vital electronic devices.

It is always better to be prepared. However, you shouldn’t limit your focus to emergency kits and basic preparedness. It is also important to make your home more resistant to severe weather conditions since your home is your primary form of protection against the unpredictable destructive forces of nature.

Byline: Logan Wheeler is a DIY-minded home improvement author currently residing in Houston, Texas. He enjoys sharing his tips on construction and plumbing in Houston with an online audience.