5 Quick Tips To Protect Your Home From The Elements

If you've ever experienced hail damage on your roof or mold from a flood, you know just how detrimental the elements can be. From cracks in a flooded basement to golf-ball-sized hail wreaking havoc on your home, staying safe from nature can be difficult for homeowners.

Not to mention, insurance companies are often hard to work with, and even when insurance pays, it's not always enough. Luckily, there are some simple tips you can follow to make sure your home is ready for practically anything.

Invest in hail-resistant shingles.

It's a known fact that homeowner's insurance typically doesn't take care of roofing issues. That's why hail resistant shingles are often a lifesaver for anyone who's woken up and found chunks of their shingles on the lawn after a storm. Roof and shingle damage can be an absolute nightmare for homeowners. That's why many decide to invest in durable, impact-resistant shingles that are stronger than your conventional asphalt roofing. A resistant roof can protect you in a hailstorm.

When your shingles are impact-resistant, they help you avoid leaks, water damage, and buildup in your gutters. Even heavy rain can prove troublesome for an asphalt shingle so it's often worth it to shell out for premium roof materials. You can even go a step further and inquire about a metal roof which is often a good alternative to impact-resistant shingles for an older home. In all seriousness, in areas that experience hail on a regular basis, there's not much better for your home's budget than making your roof hail-proof.

Touch up your basement.

If you've ever had to whip out a sump pump to handle a flooded basement, you know the damage it can do to your basement floor. This is especially true if you don't know who to call when the basement is flooded, and you find yourself in trouble without anyone to contact. From basic leaks to issues with downspouts, a basement flood can leave you dealing with a lengthy cleanup process.

On top of that, standing water can cause mold and mildew within your home's building materials. Tighten up your basement wall, get a pad on your furnace, and check your plumbing to avoid a burst pipe from hydrostatic pressure or a sewer backup. Nobody likes their basement's carpet to be wet, but when you throw sewage in, even an insurance adjuster won't want to stop by.

Check out your wiring.

While some spots in the U.S. are more susceptible to floodwater and hail impact, every homeowner can experience a power outage during a heavy thunderstorm. Often, it's due to some bad wiring. Calling an electrician can help you out greatly. Many will even offer a free estimate and tell you the extent of your wiring and property damage.

Wiring is yet another thing homeowners insurance is stingy about, so get an estimate to see if anything is under warranty. Remember, functional damage is easier to correct.

Prepare your roof for winter.

While a hail-proof roof is one thing, what about a roof that can withstand the high winds and heavy snowfall of winter? While inches of water won't collect on your roofing products, snow surely can.

If more snow gathers on an older roof system, it won't matter what impact rating you have. Your roof could fracture and rupture, leading to a roof replacement. The good news is, some reinforcements can help you outlast Mother Nature.

Insulate for all types of weather.

Buildings shift and move as the temperature changes. Not only can it impact your plumbing, but it can cause damage to electrical outlets and your belongings. If you experience major temperature fluctuations in your home throughout the year, you need to take a look at your insulation.

Cracks, holes, and crannies can let too much air in and out. not only can this damage your stuff, but it can also jack up your heating and cooling bills.

Rainwater, mold spores, hail events, and puddles in your wet basement all have a way of dampening your mood. Take some steps to fix those clogs and missing shingles so your home is ready for all types of weather this year.