How to Prepare for a Storm

Ping! You've had a weather warning on your phone that a storm will be hitting your area but what's next?

You'll need to prepare!

In this blog, we'll talk about how to prepare for a storm & what precautions to take to make sure you're safe and your home is protected.

Get the supplies in

We never know how impactful storms will be.

They may leave a path a destruction, leaving us unable to leave our homes.

Go to the supermarket and get some non-perishable food supplies to keep you going for a few days. Grab some bottled water too!

You might also need some things like medication, torches, batteries, garbage bags, moist hygiene wipes & first aid kits too.

Stay indoors

The winds will be fierce and the rain will come down hard.

One of the best ways to stay safe is to stay indoors.

Going out of your home and tackling household errands will need to be put on hold especially if the winds are strong.

Strong winds will make it difficult to walk & be hazardous to driving so make sure you have all your necessities before the storm hits.

Weatherproof your home

To help protect your home and prepare for a storm, you'll need to check a few things to make sure the weather doesn't damage your home.

Check your guttering

If your guttering isn't clear, the rain won't have anywhere to go.

The rainwater will end up cascading off the sides of your home, or worse, causing damage to it.

Clogged gutters can cause issues such as:

Rot

Mould

Foundation & fascia damage

Leaks

Hire some ladders from HSS DIY to check your guttering for any potential blockages as part of your storm prep.

Get on the roof

High winds can blow off roof tiles, dislodge or loosen flashing (which is a waterproof materials that seals your walls or chimney) or even cause your roof to collapse.

Hire a professional roofer to come before a storm comes your way to give your roof a once.

You'll want to check your roof's current condition, so if any work needs completing, you can get it sorted before any more damage is made.

Once the storm has passed, you'll be able to identify any damage it's caused (if any).

Inspect your fence panels

Another way to prepare for a storm is to look at your garden fence panels & make sure they're secure.

Just like your roofing, the wind can blow your fences panels out or even blow your entire fence down.

Bring everything outdoors indoors

Imagine waking up the day after a storm and seeing your garden furniture is no longer there & the kids trampoline is clinging on to the nearest tree.

Nightmare!

To prepare for an oncoming storm, bring all your garden furniture, bins, plant pots & other bits indoors.

Store them inside your garage, shed, or even bring them inside your home to keep them safe from damage.

Charge up

Sometimes during a storm, the weather may cause a power cut.

These days, most of our lives are online.

To prepare for a storm, fully charge all your phones & essential electrical devices so you're able to make contact with loved ones or emergency services.

Keep windows & doors closed

It's important you keep your windows and doors closed when there's a storm.

The high winds bring with it a high pressure and if windows & doors are left open, the extra pressure can cause your roof to cave in.

By keeping everything closed, you allow the pressure to evenly distribute throughout your home so it reduces the force on your roof.

Prep well & stay safe in a storm

We all know how destructive storms can be so it's important we're ready for them.

Once you've had a weather app notification or have heard the warning on the tv, you'll need to start preparing for the storm.

By following a few simple steps, you can keep you, your family and your home safe.

Remember to get all your essentials, charge your phones and keep all your windows & doors shut when you're prepping for the effects of a storm.

Stay safe!