Ways to prevent wind and water damage to your home

Prevent damage from wind

According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners' losses due to wind and hail totaled USD 4.2 billion in 2000. This figure highlights the fact that wind and hail rank among the top five causes of property loss in the nation. Especially susceptible are homes with deficient roofing and siding. To protect yourself, your family, and your house from wind and hail damage, you need to:

Check your roof for problems and replace damaged or missing shingles.

Replace the whole roof when warranted.Even though the actual life span of your roof is determined by numerous elements (including climate, environmental conditions, and also the high quality of the roofing materials and its installation), you should put on a new roof if it is more than 20 years old and also the shingles are cracking and/or curling. Additionally, you need to reroof if it is more than 15 years old and you are noticing leaks in more than one region.

When replacing your roof, make certain the new shingles have a Class 4 rating beneath the Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) 2218 standard. A Class 4 rating indicates that a sample of the product did not crack when hit twice in the same region by a two-inch steel ball.

Maintain trees and shrubbery trimmed.Remove diseased or damaged limbs. Inspect lightweight vinyl or aluminum siding for wear and tear. Wind can catch loose seams and corners and tear the siding off the walls. Remove any debris or loose items from your yard well in advance of an approaching storm. Put away lawn furniture and patio umbrellas. Secure firewood. Close window shutters.

Prevent water damage

Gone are the days when you might ignore a damp basement or a mildly leaking faucet. That's because today's informed property owners know that water damage isn't only an invitation to mold, but to dry rot and pest infestation as well.The havoc wreaked by a "water event" - from a leaky basement to a frozen and ruptured water pipe - may also ultimately result in the nonrenewal of your home insurance, or even a lawsuit.

Damage due to water and freezing temperatures caused property owners losses totaling USD 4.96 billion in 2000, according towards the Insurance Information Institute. This is one of the reasons home insurance has risen an average of 5 to 8 percent in the past couple of years. To protect yourself, your family, and your home from water damage and the effects of frigid temperatures, you should:

Fix any leaks immediately. For added protection, install a leak detector. Ask your insurance agent if this qualifies you for a discount on your house insurance. Maintain downspouts and gutters clean to prevent water or ice from building up on your roof. Insulate all pipes that are susceptible to freezing. Set your home's thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. Inspect all windows, exterior doors, trim, and flashing for signs of damage.

Check the water hoses on your washing machine, refrigerator icemaker, and dishwasher for signs of wear. Check your water heater for leaks. Partially drain the heater every six months to stop sediment from building up on the bottom. Check shutoff valves at each plumbing fixture for signs of leaks. Shut off the valve for your washing machine after each use. Check for cracked or missing grout across the base of your toilet, bathtub and/or shower, and bathroom cabinets.

Keep the humidity in your house and basement much less than 50 percent. You can check by using an inexpensive hygrometer, an instrument that measures the water vapor content of the air. Make certain bathrooms and kitchens are well vented. Stop vines from growing on your house. Do not stack firewood near your home. Make certain lawn sprinklers do not constantly wet one region of your home. Paint any exposed wood surfaces to stop them from decaying.

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