8 Tips to Prepare for a Heavy Rain or Windstorm

11/6/2019 (Permalink)

Heavy Rain

Be as ready as you can be for coming storms if you live where heavy rains or winds are predicted. Heavy rains lead to water leaks through the roof and ceilings, soaking walls and furniture while flooding floors. How can you best prepare and protect your home and belongings?

8 Tips to prepare for a storm

1. Gutters can get clogged with leaves and other debris. Clean out gutters and waterspouts before rain season and after each rain. Leaves and debris are often pushed into gutters as they wash down from the roof after it rains. Look for loose gutters and replace those.
2. After a storm, take a quick look to see if any large debris, like tree branches, has fallen on your roof. If you find anything large that needs removal, hire a professional to get rid of it. If there is no sign of debris, from ground level, check your roof for broken, loose, or cracked shingles or tiles and for any bubbling or blistering in shingles or tiles. Use binoculars if need be. If you spot any damage hire a professional for repair.
3. Inspect the siding of your home. Check for cracks or holes and seal in any leaks that you come across.
4. Weather-strip your home. Windows and doors let in cool air if weather-stripping needs to be replaced. Minimize heat loss and ensure that your weather-stripping is not damaged. Replace if needed.
5. Consider a backup generator. If there is a power outage, an emergency generator can keep a few lights and appliances on for a few hours up to 24 hours.
6. Cover outdoor furniture, barbecues, and any outdoor equipment with heavy tarps. Secure tarps so that heavy winds do not expose or damage your belongings.
7. Make sure your trees are trimmed. Trees weaken with droughts, and when the rain comes, weak trees can snap or uproot. The cities of Manteca and Modesto are susceptible to this more so than other cities as droughts are imminent during summer months and heavy rains come winter months.
8. Make sure you have a disaster supply kit. Important documents should be stored in the cloud. Ensure you have home insurance in case your home is flooded even if you are not located in a high-risk area. Anything could happen, a pipe may burst, heavy rain can cave in a roof, etc.  Make sure you are covered.