Too wet, too hot, too dry, too cold - Weather extremes can affect your home.
Did you know there is a holiday called Weather Complaint Day? We hear people complaining about weather related issues almost every day of the year so never thought about a single day dedicated to this. Weather can be a topic of endless discussion, and often, it's the source of many complaints. The most common complaints are extreme heat, freezing temperatures, too much or too little rain and sudden, unexpected weather changes.
When your home is too hot, you can protect your home by making sure you have enough insulation to prevent heat from entering and your AC cooled air from escaping. You also want to check that your window and door seals are intact to prevent leaks through those household openings. Use fans to ventilate your home. The moving air will help you feel cooler and during the evenings when the heat recedes, they can be used to help push any heat that built up during the day out of your home. Heat buildup is especially common in attics so attic vents and exhaust fans may also help your AC unit keep your home cooler. Use energy efficient appliances and unplug them when not in use to reduce heat generation. Use curtains or blinds to block sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Manage your menu so that you are not cooking during the hottest part of the day or better yet not at all to avoid adding heat from a stove, oven or microwave to the job your AC is already struggling to do to keep the residents cool. Ensure pets have access to plenty of water and shade. Never leave them in parked cars. On the outside of your home, use reflective roofing material to deflect sunlight. Plant trees on the south and west side of your home to provide shade in the right places during the hottest part of the day. Keep your siding in good condition to prevent heat entering through cracks or gaps. Mulching around your outdoor plants will help keep heat off their roots and help keep moisture in the soil. Due to potential water restrictions, choose drought-tolerant plants that require less water and can withstand hot temperatures. Consider adding shade structures like awnings to provide shade for your people and pets when they must spend time outdoors during the hotter part of the day.
When you experience freezes, adequate insulation will now keep the heat in and the cold out, so it is a benefit for your home year-round. The same is true for window and door seals as well as keeping siding in good repair. Insulate exposed pipes and pipes in and around the exterior walls of your home, especially in unheated areas like garages and basements / crawlspaces. During deep freezes or temperatures below freezing for an extended period, leave the inside faucets running just enough to get a pencil lead size stream. The flow of water will help slow or prevent pipes from freezing. Burst pipes can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time so check them periodically in areas prone to freezing such as basements. If you see any signs of stress such as warping or cracking, cut off your water to that pipe and get it repaired right away. Drain and disconnect exterior hoses before winter temperatures arrive and put insulated covers over all outdoor spigots and faucets. Perform any needed maintenance on your heating system during the fall so it is ready to keep you warm when winter arrives. When you are not at home, leave the thermostat set to a temperature high enough to prevent pipes from freezing and have someone check your home periodically. Due to the potential for loss of power, have a backup heat source ready and know how to use it safely.
If your complaint is excessive rainfall, be sure your home is protected from flooding. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean to prevent water overflow. While cleaning downspouts, check that they are directing water away from your foundation. Watch water flow to make sure your yard is graded to direct water away from your foundation and does not have any low spots that collect water instead of letting it run off away from your home. Keep your roofing and siding in good condition to prevent water from entering through cracks or gaps. Choose plants that help absorb rainwater but avoid planting them too close to the home to avoid having their roots cause damage to the foundation. Waterproof your basement or crawlspace by installing a sump pump if needed and making sure all cracks on the floors and walls are properly sealed. When you have heavy rainfall outside, it can cause high humidity inside leading to mold and mildew growth. Use household dehumidifiers and fans to minimize the humidity levels and increase ventilation inside your home. Flood insurance is not standard on most insurance policies so if you are in a flood-prone area, discuss this with your insurance agent to be sure you have proper coverage for this type of damage.
On the other hand too little rainfall can be an issue for your home too. To protect your home, conserve water both indoors and outside. Indoors you need to check for leaks and repair them promptly. Limit water usage by turning off water at the faucet between rinses when washing dishes or brushing teeth. When buying new appliances, shop for water efficient models (consider showerheads and toilets in this category as well). A rainwater collection system will help you store non-potable water for use on a non-rainy day. Outside you should use the collected rainwater or a drip irrigation system to deliver water to the roots of the plant life you are trying to protect during the dry season. Try to water those roots at dawn when the heat is low so less water can evaporate before being absorbed into the soil and used by the roots. Allow your grass to grow a little higher to conserve more moisture and try to not mow during the heat of the day when you lose the most moisture during the cutting of the grass blades. One major concern when everything is so dry is fires that may harm your home. Remove debris from around your home because they become fire hazards when they dry out after coming off nearby trees and bushes. Keep branches trimmed back from your home to prevent sparks from reaching the structure if a wildfire is a risk in your area.
That leaves us with sudden, unexpected weather changes. In northeast Georgia, that is most likely to be flash flooding which was touched on in the paragraph about too much rain. To try to be prepared overall, look at these measures. Regularly inspect your roof for damage, especially after storms. Replace damaged shingles or tiles promptly. Ensure gutters and downspouts are correctly hung and clear of debris. Check your foundation for signs of settling or cracking. Address any issues found promptly. Seal cracks around windows, doors and foundation to prevent water intrusion. Install weather stripping around doors and windows to protect against drafts or Georgia’s natural humidity from getting into the home. Make sure your home has enough insulation to maintain the temperature if there is a sudden change. Make sure objects kept outside are either secured or can be quickly put inside to prevent damage. Be sure trees and bushes are trimmed regularly to prevent weak or dead branches from damaging the home if a sudden storm has strong winds. Inside the home, use surge protectors and unplug any electronics that are sensitive to current fluctuations in case lightning strikes cause power surges to enter the home. Have a plan in case evacuation is necessary and stay informed by having a way to track weather forecasts before, during and even after a sudden storm arises.
No matter what weather you experience, we are here for you. ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points provide a variety of disaster restoration services. We work with all major insurance companies as well as working directly with the home or business owner. Our services are based on insurance guidelines and industry standards so you know you are in good hands when you call us to help you with your disaster.
