Protecting Your Home from Storm Damage
Heavy rain or snow, harsh winds and flooding can result in costly water damage to your home— and living in Nova Scotia means preparing for these types of storms pretty often. Here are some ways you can protect your property and staying safe when there’s a storm coming.
Inspect & Repair Your Roof
A leaky roof can cause a lot of damage in the long run. Having your roof inspected on a regular basis can save you money on expensive water damage claims during a heavy rain, snowstorm or hurricane. Water stains, rot and mold can grow over time, so it’s important to have any discovered damage fixed as soon as possible.
Trim Your Trees & Clear Your Deck
Branches that are growing near or hanging over your home can cause damage during storms with high winds. Trim your trees or shrubs, and clear any debris. Additionally, clearing any outdoor furniture that isn’t secured keeps you from damaging your home, car and décor.
Clean Your Gutters & Storm Drain
Regularly cleaning your gutters and ensuring any downspouts drain properly really helps. If you have storm drain, keep any obstructions away from drainage areas. Splash blocks or extension pipes direct water away from your house foundation, and can come in handy during a rainstorm.
Winterize Your Home
Prep your home for the colder weather (and the snowstorms that come with it) by winterizing it. Seal drafty windows and doors with weather-stripping, and get your heating systems serviced regularly. Make sure your walls and attic are properly insulated; if too much heat escapes, it can cause serious water and ice damage. Lastly, use heat tape on exposed pipes and let faucets drip to avoid pipe freezing during long-term outages.
Avoid Basement Flooding
To keep your basement dry and prevent flooding around your home, pay attention to the ground near its foundation. It should slope away by about 6 inches for the first 10 feet. Installing a sump pump in your basement removes any groundwater that may seep inside too.
Have a storm plan in place for emergencies, and contact your broker if your home suffers any damage.