March
comes in like a lion, but it doesn’t really go out like a lamb. Instead, the
spring storms that arrive during this time of year depart like St. Patrick’s
Day revelers who’ve had too much green beer—it can get a little messy. Since
your house is just waking up from a long winter nap, right now it needs extra
TLC. Below you’ll find some of the fastest, easiest ways you can get your
property ready for the spring storm season. Some of these fixes are DIY
projects while others may require professional assistance. Rest assured that
Paul Davis Restoration/Emergency Services of (location) is here to help give
your home a springtime makeover in preparation for the boisterous weather
ahead.
Things That Go Boom in
the Night
With
thunderstorms, it’s not really the thunder that gets you—it’s the rain. We all
know the Great Lakes region suffers through copious downpours in the spring!
Warm, moisture-laden air travels over most of the country at this time of year,
bringing much needed water to freshly sprouting vegetation. You’ll enjoy those
May flowers. In the meantime, you may not enjoy the
flooding and mold problems that happen when rain is too much of a good thing.
What to Do:
·
Clean
out your gutters and check them for leaks. Don’t forget to check the downspouts
for hidden clogs. Use a garden hose sprayer and a plumber’s snake to unblock
downspouts if necessary.
·
Consider
grading your lawn and installing French drains to direct water away from your
foundation and prevent water from pooling in your yard.
·
If
you have a basement, ensure that the sump pump has a backup power source.
Otherwise, it won’t do you any good during a thunderstorm accompanied by a
power outage. Installing a backup sump pump is also a good idea. You might even
install one with an alarm that lets you know when the basement is flooding.
These days, alarm messages can be sent to your phone!
·
damage
after the snowstorm. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover de-icer in
your garage!
·
Have
any leftover snow from previous storms removed from your roof in preparation
for a spring blizzard. Snow removal reduces the total load of snow on your roof
and lessens the chance of collapse. This is especially necessary for spring
snow because it tends to be particularly heavy and wet.
With Hailstones Like
These, Who Needs Golf Balls?
Hail
is something every Great Lakes and Ohio Valley homeowner dreads (even though we
do like to brag about the size of the biggest hailstones we’ve seen). These
storms are often accompanied by lightning and high winds. It’s like Nature is
pitching a fit—when it all starts hitting the roof it’s not a pretty sight.
What to Do:
·
Close
your blinds, shades or curtains. Fasten these window coverings to the windowsill
or wall with tape or tacks. That way, if hail does break a window, the glass
won’t be blown throughout the room.
·
Stock
up on some plywood and plastic sheeting so you can immediately patch up damaged
windows and prevent rain from getting inside your house.
·
Use
thick blankets to protect vehicles and other property that can’t be put under a
carport or in the garage. This may reduce the impact of hail enough to avoid
paint damage and minor dents.
·
If
the hail is severe and large (at least ¾” in diameter), go ahead and call a
roofing restoration specialist while you wait it out. That way, you can be one
of the first clients on the list for damage assessment and repairs after the
storm.
Everyone Knows It’s
Windy
Straight-line
winds are common throughout the central regions of the U.S. as the weather
warms up. Knowing that you’ve done what you can to keep your house from being
totally trashed can help you ride out these wind disasters. Some of the same
technology that helps limit damage from hurricanes can also be used for
protection against tornadoes and straight-line winds.
What to Do:
·
Consider
protecting your home with roof tie-down clips. These clips anchor the roof deck
to the frame of your house to make the whole structure stronger. Unlike many
other roof upgrades, they don’t require extensive retrofitting.
·
Install
storm shutters and wind resistant doors. These can be helpful in protecting
against wind, keeping out water and preventing damage.
·
Add
a vertical bracing system to your garage door. This type of system takes only a
few minutes to put in place (after initial installation) so you can prep your
garage at a moment’s notice.
·
Prune
trees so that the branches are a safe distance away from the roof or other
structures around the house. Branches scraping across the roof can do a lot of
damage to shingles and flashing. Broken limbs falling on your roof can cause an
instant leak.
·
If
a piece of yard furniture is light enough for you to lift it, high winds can
probably pick it up too. Store loose furniture, toys, decorations, lawn
equipment, and other items in a garage or shed. Offer to help neighbors move
their lawn furniture too since windstorms don’t respect property lines!
Paul
Davis Restoration/Emergency Services of Bowling Green serves the following
communities: Morgantown, Rochester, Lewisburg, Jetson, Welchs Creek, Auburn,
Russellville, Olmstead, Allensville, Adairville, Bowling Green, Rockfield,
Woodburn, Alvaton, Oakland, Smiths Grove, Franklin, Scottsville, Adolphus,
Holland, Bee Spring, Roundhill, Mammoth Cave, Brownsville, Rocky Hill, Park
City, Cave City, Lucas, Austin, Glasgow, Horse Cave, Center, Knob Lick,
Edmonton, Summer Shade, Dubre, Mount Hermon, Fountain Run, Gamaliel,
Tompkinsville, Hestand.