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6 Tips for Protecting Your Home from the Elements
Your home is a huge investment that you want to take care of. It’s where you and your family live, and you want to ensure it lasts for years to come. No matter where you are, your property isn’t safe from the elements. Whether it is exposed to extreme temperatures, natural disasters, or excess moisture, it can incur damage.
However, you can take action as a renter or homeowner. Here are some ways you can start protecting your property from the elements.
1. Maintain Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps help prevent flooding and water damage. It is crucial that you regularly maintain yours. If you neglect to do so, you won’t know if it is properly working or not. Flooding and water damage can go undetected, resulting in serious issues for your property. Anyone who has a sump pump should regularly maintain it. This is especially important if you live in an area prone to flash flooding.
2. Seal Your Driveway
In cold weather, concrete tends to expand. In warmer weather, it tends to contract. Either way, seasonal transitions can lead to cracks in your driveway. Cracks aren’t just an eyesore. If not addressed, they’ll just continue to expand and cause bigger problems down the line.
You can, of course, hire a professional to get the job done. There are also DIY methods for filling cracks:
- Pressure wash out any dirt and grime.
- Mix sealer and, using a paintbrush, apply it around the perimeter of your driveway.
- Use an asphalt brush to apply thin coats of sealer to your driveway (one horizontal coat and one vertical coat).
- Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Go Easy on Your Grass
It’s great if you are on top of mowing. This helps keep your lawn looking pristine and prevents your property from looking overrun. However, if you live in a colder area, you do not need to mow as often in the winter. You should keep grass about 3-4 inches high. If you cut it any shorter, your grass is more likely to die off. Luckily, it won’t look neglected as grass tends to lay dormant in the winter. Once spring hits, it’ll gracefully bounce back without you needing to reseed.
4. Don’t Neglect Your Roof
Of course, your roof is crucial to your home’s structure. If not properly taken care of, it can mean trouble for your investment and even your safety. Roofs have to put up with a lot. They have to bear debris, storms, and other extreme weather. Make sure that you get yours regularly inspected. You should also take care of it yourself by cleaning out the gutters. This will keep your roof from bearing unnecessary weight and, thus, prevent leaks.
Professionals from AllDryUSA stress the importance of paying attention to your roof after a natural disaster. You should ensure that there aren’t any leaks. If your roof did incur damage, it’s important to contact an emergency repair company as soon as possible.
5. Buy a Dehumidifier
Hot, humid summers have a reputation for messing with the wood in your house. Depending on the wood’s moisture content, this kind of weather can warp this material by making it swell or shrink. Keep your wooden floors looking beautiful with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers run quietly and do a great job of removing some of the humidity from your home.
6. Be Mindful of Large Trees
Even the strongest oaks have the potential of falling over. Wind, rain, and soggy ground can cause trees to topple over. Be mindful if any are in striking distance.
