According
to the Congressional Budget Office, expected annual economic losses from
weather-related damage caused by hurricane winds and storm-related flooding total
$54 billion, with $34 billion of those losses to households. If you
are like most people, your home is probably one of your biggest investments;
therefore, you should do whatever you can to protect it. When it comes to
weather damage, you need homeowners insurance. However, you should also take
other steps to lower the risk of major destruction and costly, inconvenient
repairs.

How to Reduce the Risk of
Wind Damage

Hurricanes
and other severe storms can wreak havoc on your home in the form of wind
damage. Wind can damage shingles, siding, and doors, so make sure shingles and
siding are fastened properly and install storm shutters on doors and windows if
your area isprone to violent storms. During storms, tree
branches and limbs can crash onto your home or vehicle. Regularly trimming the
trees that are near your home can help reduce the risk of fallen limb damage.
Depending on the size of the tree, the average cost of tree trimming can range
from just $75 up to $1,000. If you have dead or dying
trees on your property, have them removed promptly so they do not become
projectiles during a storm.

Check
your homeowners insurance policy to ensure you understand the coverage. Some
policies have separate deductibles for hurricane or wind damage, while others
exclude this type of damage from standard coverage and require you to purchase
aseparate windstorm policy.          

How to Protect Your Home from
Hail

The
best defense against hail damage is investing in an impact-resistant roof.
Shingles made from modified asphalt are generally affordable and offer some
resistance with their rubber-like qualities. Plastic or resin shingles, as well
as other types ofmetal
shingles, may be more durable but at a higher price tag. Talk toroofing contractors in your area to learn
about upgraded materials that can protect against hail damage and extend the
lifespan of your roof.

Hailstones
can damage more than just your roof. If you live in an area prone to hail,
consider the previously mentioned storm shutters to protect your windows from
cracking or shattering. Also, be sure to bring in patio furniture, BBQ grills,
and other outdoor items before any storm.

How to Stop Rain and Snowmelt
from Leaking Into Your Home

Severe
rains, flash floods, and melted snow can leak into your home and cause serious
issues. You can avoid this problem by having your roof inspected for missing
shingles and damaged flashing before storm season. Also,clean out your gutters regularly. If they get
clogged, water can overflow and damage the exterior of your home or leak into
your basement.

Toprotect your foundation, you want to ensure
the ground around your house slopes downward away from your home rather than
toward it. If water runs toward the edge of your house, it can leak into your
foundation. Therefore, you may need to add soil into any low spots to deter
water from pooling around the perimeter of your home.

How Sunlight Can Damage Your
House

Believe
it or not, the sun can damage your house too. Strong sunlight can cause vinyl
siding to melt or crack over time, so consider planting trees around your home
to protect siding from sun damage. The sun can also deteriorate the shingles of
your roof if you don’t have acool roof coating with a high reflectivity
rating. These coatings can also help prevent water damage as well. Sunlight
coming through your windows can also discolor certain types of hardwood floors
quickly, including cherry wood. However, window coverings can prevent this type
of damage.

You can’t control the weather or avoid any kind of weather-related damage to your home. However, you can take several preventive measures that will help reduce the chances of costly repairs. Protecting your home today from wind, hail, sunlight, and water damage will save you money, time, and aggravation in the long run.

Article By Natalie Jones

Photo
viaPixabay