Remodeling for Severe Weather Endurance**

If you live in a area that is prone to severe weather of any kind, remodeling for severe weather endurance might be a good investment in the safety of your family and the protection of your home and property. Weather poses threats to houses and other structures and places family members and pets at risk of harm under several circumstances. Remodeling for severe weather endurance will give you greater peace of mind will offer better protection for your family and pets, and might save you money on home insurance, particularly if you live in high-risk area.

Related articles:

New Roof

Replacement Windows What's Best for You

Residential Home Improvement Contractors: Protect Yourself with These Tips

Severe thunderstorms can occur anywhere. These storms carry the risk of lightning, wind and hail damage. Lightning can enter and run throughout a house through the electrical wiring, plumbing or telephone and other above-ground lines. Preventing damage from lightning is a matter of providing alternative ways for the electrical surge from lightning to travel into the ground. Unplugging all appliances, electronics, telephones and other devices in the home is one way to protect your property.

Other devices are available through your electric company. These vary in price and effectiveness and should be locally investigated. Homeowners should check with insurance companies regularly to ensure that they have adequate coverage for the kind of damage that can result from severe thunderstorms. Flash flooding and excessive rain can put your home at risk for flood damage. This is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies. If you live near a river or stream which floods regularly or you are located in a flood plain, it is probably wise to investigate flood insurance, despite the cost.

RemodelOrMove.com: Contractor Selection Workbook

If you live in a region historically prone to tornado damage, there are a number of things you might want to include in your remodeling plans to protect your family, your home, and your pets. Some of these remodels might reduce your insurance costs. Constructing a safe room built of concrete with steel doors will keep your family safe during a severe storm with high winds.

Here are some of the basic things you can include in your home remodel to make your home safer during severe weather like a tornado or a hurricane:

· Replace any gravel or rock used in landscaping with shredded bark mulch

· Trim, prune or remove any trees or large shrubs with weak branches or dead spots. Remove all dead trees

· Check and repair all connections between the parts of your home – roof walls, foundation – and reinforce where necessary

· Replacement windows should be impact-resistant window systems or impact-resistant shutters that close over windows

· Make sure all door frames are firmly anchored to wall framing.

· Use only doors with three hinges

· Install a deadbolt with at least a one-inch bolt in every exterior door

· Replace patio doors with impact-resistant door systems or install impact-resistant shutters that close over patio doors

· Upgrade to a garage door system with both track and door that can withstand strong wind and reinforce door more than 8 feet wide

· Make sure that both the roof covering and the sheathing will withstand strong wind

· Reinforce the end wall of any gables

· Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps

· Be sure walls are properly anchored to the foundation

· Be sure the framing of the second level of the house is properly anchored to the framing of the lower level

While all of these steps might not be a necessary part of every remodel, if you live in a high-risk area, these tips will help you secure your home to provide the greatest possible safety for your family and your possession. Remodeling is the perfect time to check the structure, the connections and the strength of your walls, roof, windows, doors and frame.

More helpful articles:

How to Find a Contractor or Subcontractor

How to Handle Disagreements With Your Contractor During a Remodel

What to Discuss with Home Addition Contractors before Hiring One

to the next article
on what it
cost to remodel

an instant online
remodeling
cost estimate

a question
about remodeling

Return to Top