Climate change is impossible to predict. As homeowners, we must take certain measures to ensure our homes combat these changes without significant issues.
Making a home climate-resistant means considering the area you live in. Some states have constant warm or hot weather, while others experience temperatures ranging from boiling hot to freezing cold.
Regardless of which category your home falls under, the statistics say that weatherproofing your home saves money in the long run. This is just one side of the story without touching base on areas prone to natural disasters and the potential damage they cause.
Multiple aspects must be considered, the main one being the location. This guide offers numerous tips and tricks for weatherproofing your house.
Temperature Protection
Being inside and away from the elements doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected. Yes, it’s better to be indoors, but there are some measures you can take to help you keep the ambient temperature optimal.
States like Missouri are the ones where you get to experience all seasons. Kansas City has been seeing temperatures of over 100 degrees, making things uncomfortable. The AC may be on at full blast, but you’d still be hot.
First, you should check the doors and windows, specifically how well they seal. Not having a perfect seal means they won’t do their job properly and keep the colder air inside.
The second aspect to consider is the insulation. Good insulating material on the exterior is a great way to keep the temperatures down. Any reputable siding company in Kansas City, or any city for that matter, can help with this. The best part is that you can give your house a fresh look in the process.
Flood Protection
Unlike weather conditions, natural disasters such as floods are unpredictable. States like Florida or Texas are prone to floods, so people living there should consider protecting their homes.
Power outages are common during a flood, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the electrical installation. Aim to have outlets and switches higher to ensure no water gets in. It can be an expensive project, but it’s worth it. You should also consider moving essential systems such as HVAC to a higher floor or attic to prevent damage.
Investing in a pump is a good idea to move any water away from your house, especially the foundation. Sump pumps can do wonders, but remember that you may need to consider a generator if the power is down. Another thing you can do is install flood vents. They’re designed to prevent water buildup inside the walls and minimize water damage.
Water will always find a way through something, including walls. The problem is that if you have cracks, you’re making things easier for the water and exposing your house to extensive damage.
Finding cracks isn’t a good thing, but in this case, it can be because you can fix it. You can use various materials to patch the cracks and prevent as much water from getting in. Also, many compounds are designed with waterproofing in mind, and it’s recommended that you use them on your basement walls.
Hurricane Protection
Floods usually happen in areas prone to hurricanes, meaning that if you live in the states mentioned above, you might as well invest in hurricane protection. Unlike floods, when it comes to this disaster, there are other things to keep in mind. In this regard, it’s essential to prepare your house to withstand a hurricane and, most importantly, keep you and your family safe.
The high winds mean that things will get torn off, and roofs are the first thing that gets damaged. Most roofing services recommend a metal roof with a reinforced construction. These are designed to handle wind speeds up to 160 mph, which should be good for a category 4 hurricane.
During these kinds of storms, the wind picks up objects, which can end up flying at great speeds. The walls can handle most of these, but the doors and windows cannot, so reinforcing them is a smart approach. Professionals recommend Investing in shutters, and depending on your budget, you have multiple options. The most common ones are manual panels that you install when needed. A more expensive option is automatic shutters permanently installed on the doors and windows, which you close as soon as the emergency broadcast comes in.
You can hurricane-proof your home as much as you want, but some winds can cause a lot more damage than your house can handle. Therefore, you should consider a safe room. Ideally, you’d want a room with no windows, concrete walls, and a steel door. People also revert to basements as a good option; just make sure you have more than one exists in case one gets blocked.
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