Preventing Damage During Spring Showers

4/6/2021 (Permalink)

April showers may bring May flowers. But, storm damage brings SERVPRO — and we'd like to prevent that, believe it or not!

April Showers Can Bring More Than Flowers

This is true, but unfortunately showers can also bring severe weather threats such as hail, high winds, tornadoes and lightning. According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms cause more than $1 billion in property damage each year. Without proper home preparation and maintenance upkeep, the damage could be very costly if severe weather came through. In Alabama, the weather changes one day to the next. Below are some helpful tips to prevent spring storms from damaging your home.

 Spring Storm Tips:

1.  Clean the gutters. Cleaning out any leaves or debris that may have accumulated in the gutters will help prevent water damage. Check to make sure the downspout directs water away from the foundation, and add extensions if necessary to keep the water away from your house. It’s also a good plan to install gutter guards. These will protect your gutters from clogging and ensure that water does not accumulate on the roof.

2.  Maintain roof maintenance. Replace roof shingles that are cracked or loose. This will help prevent damage from roof leaks.

3.  Check the caulking. It is important to check caulking for decay around doors, windows, corner boards, and joints, and re-caulk where needed. Be sure the seals are tight to improve insulation and prevent water damage.

4.  Look around the yard. Trim your trees and remove dead or loose branches to prevent them from becoming projectiles during a storm.

5.  Prepare your patio before a storm. When a storm is approaching, be sure to move all patio furniture, trash cans and any other loose outside items to your shed or garage – these could become flying projectiles.