There are many things in this world you cannot count on. One of them is the fact that your home will experience some form of natural disaster sometime over the course of its lifespan. By knowing the area that your home is located in, as well as knowing what type of disasters you may possibly experience, you can plan to minimize the damage that can occur.
First, it is essential to know and understand the definition of a natural disaster. Basic Planet’s definition of natural disaster is “any catastrophic event that is caused by nature or the natural process of the earth,” and it also goes on to state, “the severity of a disaster is measured in lives and economic loss, and the ability of the population to rebuild.”
Types of Natural Disasters
Depending on the region that you live in Houston, you and your home could experience any of the following:
- Drought
- Flooding
- Hail
- Heat Wave
- Hurricanes
- Lightening
- Sinkholes
- Thunderstorms
- Tornadoes
- Wind
- Ice Storms
More and more, you can see an increase in natural disasters happening within the United States and around the world. It makes perfect sense to try to minimize the impact that it can have on all of your structures.
Ways to Protect Your Home and Foundation
Since there is such a long list of disasters that can affect your Houston residence, it is essential to know what you can do to protect your home and foundation before they happen.
For the sake of time, we will go over just a few measures that you can take to help guard your Houston home from possible extensive damage.
Have Your Home Inspected
This is extremely important, especially if you are in a home that is older or if your home has had previous damage from any of the listed natural disasters. By taking this step, you will be able to find out if there is damage somewhere within your home that you might not have known about or if your house is up to the region’s code’s standards.
A home inspection can also help if you need to file a claim later with your insurance company, but make sure that the inspector you intend to hire meets the requirements of your state and local government.
Ensure Adequate Drainage Around Your Home
If your home does not have a proper drainage system on or around the structure, it can have a damaging effect on the foundation. This step will help to protect your home from possible water damage.
Rain gutters can help to direct water away from the house, but they also need to be maintained for optimal benefits. If the land that is around your home is not at the correct grade level, it can lead to flooding problems. Regrading the area around the foundation can help direct water away from your home.
Maintain Constant Moisture Levels Around Your Foundation
Since you live in an area that experiences drought conditions, you need to have sufficient moisture around your home. If too much moisture is removed from the soil surrounding your foundation, it can negatively impact your home’s structural integrity.
You can maintain a constant moisture level by having a soaker hose or a sprinkler system set up around your foundation. As well, make sure that you either have plants and trees at least 5 to 10 feet away from the foundation or only have plants and trees that will pull a limited amount of moisture from the soil and not intrude on the foundation.
Mitigate Potential Wind Damage
This is making sure that certain parts of the structure are as secure as possible. Even if you have an older Houston home, you should be able to complete this step. For this, you will need to inspect and fix the following areas: gable end bracing, roof-to-wall attachments, roof deck attachment, and lastly, the roof itself!
If all of the above has been completed, your roof will stand up to a more significant amount of wind, which can and will help to keep the home intact.
Seal Doors and Windows
Caulk doors and windows throughout the home to keep as much moisture from intruding as possible.
Keep Debris Away From the Home
If you have anything that is lying around in your yard that can become hazardous if picked up and thrown by wind, you need to make sure to either get rid of it or secure it in place. A last piece of advice: be vigilant with your home’s surroundings and take the necessary precautions to keep your home sound and your family safe!
