Getting your home ready for heavy thunderstorms is one of those things you don’t want to put off. When a powerful storm is approaching, it may be too late to protect your property from high winds and flying debris. Now is the perfect time to take steps to protect your home and finances from a dangerous storm. Here are some things to consider when preparing your home to withstand the onslaught of a summer storm – before and after the rain.
Check your insurance. This should be done long before the storm. Josh Noel, owner of Quality Roofing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, says homeowners should check to see if they have an ACV or RCV policy. “The first one is actual cash value, which means your insurance company only pays for what your property was worth before the storm, which is not a good policy. RCV is replacement cost value, which means your insurance pays current market value of the property loss.” Remember, most people do not think they’ll need insurance until one day they do, so before that storm rolls around, take action and be prepared in the event that your house is damaged.
Add sewage-backup coverage. Heavy rains can cause an overload in the storm water system. This will cause water or sewage to back up into your house which is a common problem during storm season. Sewage backup insurance is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies, even though it generally only costs about $50 to add up to $10,000 to $20,000 in damages covered. Consider making that extra payment, you’ll be thankful later!
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Clean your gutters. This is one of the easiest things to forget about when taking care of your home! Many are not aware of the problems that can come from not cleaning your gutters. “Though gutters are attached to your roof, their primary function is to protect siding, lawn and foundation. One of the biggest risks of not cleaning out gutters is basement damage,” says Amy Matthews, a home improvement expert for Home Advisor.
Consider a home generator. Aside from how comfortable you and your family will feel with lights, electronics, the refrigerator and air conditioning, the generator will also help prevent bigger issues. For example, the possibility of flooding can occur if your sump pump stops working. A good option would be to install an automatic standby generator, which is powered by natural gas or propane and turns on automatically after detecting a power outage. Portable generators tend to be less expensive and a good option if you don’t have a gas or propane line.
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Trim trees. Fallen tree branches frequently cause damage during a hurricane, tornado or storm with high winds. This is a good time to do some yard maintenance. If a tree damages your home, the policy will usually pay to fix it but it tends to not cost more than $500 to $1,000 for tree removal.
Put together a disaster kit. It’s ALWAYS a good idea to have a battery-operated radio, flashlights and a phone that isn’t dependent on electricity in case the power is out for a while. Stock up on groceries and water, fully charge your cell phone and other electronics, and make sure your car has a full tank of gas! Store some cash, insurance policies, tax records, and other important papers as well as contact information in a portable file you can take with you if you are evacuated.
