Summer ushers in warmer temperatures and longer days—but along with the lovely weather comes the threat of thunderstorms, heavy rain, high winds, and even hail. Preparing your home ahead of time can help minimize storm damage, prevent costly repairs, and keep your family safe. From improving drainage to ensuring you’re ready for power outages, we have four practical ways to get your home storm-ready before the next big downpour.
1. Improve Yard Drainage
Heavy summer rains can quickly overwhelm your property, letting let water pool around your foundation—or worse, leak into your basement or crawl space. Fortunately, there are a few easy and relatively inexpensive upgrades that will keep water moving away from your home:
• Clean gutters and downspouts: Water can spill over and pool near your home’s foundation when gutters are clogged. Clear out leaves and debris at least twice a year—and more often if tall trees surround your home. Once you’ve cleaned them, add gutter screens to prevent future clogs.
• Install downspout extenders: Frost King’s Tilt and Drain Downspout Extender can extend your downspout up to 6 feet and swivel a full 180 degrees so you can easily guide water away from your home and exactly where you want it to flow.
• Ensure your yard is graded correctly: A slope of 5% (6 inches of drop for every 10 feet) is the gold standard for directing water away from the foundation. If water tends to pool in certain spots, regrade or add topsoil to direct rainwater downhill.
• Install a French drain or dry well: If your yard is always soggy, a French drain system or dry well can help move water off your property.
• Aerate your lawn: Over time, routine foot traffic, lawnmowers, and other heavy equipment—along with natural settling—can compact your soil, making it harder for storm water to drain. Aerating— poking small holes in the lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots—creates better water absorption and reduces rainwater runoff.
2. Inspect and Maintain Your Roof
Your home’s roof is the first line of defense against summer storms—and even minor issues can lead to significant water damage.
Take these steps to keep your roof in good condition:
• Inspect for damaged or missing shingles: Damaged shingles can allow water to seep into your attic and walls. Make it a habit to check for cracked, curled, or missing shingles regularly and replace them promptly.
• Check flashing: Flashing is the thin strip of metal installed around roof edges, chimneys, vents, and skylights that helps direct water away from vulnerable areas. When you’re inspecting shingles, make sure flashing is securely fastened and free of rust, cracks, or gaps. Look for loosened sections, and reseal spots where water could seep in.
• Clean off debris: Branches, leaves, and moss can trap moisture on your roof and cause damage over time. Keep your roof clean, especially after storms.
• Look inside your attic: After a heavy rain, inspect the attic for signs of leaks, such as damp insulation or water stains on the wood. If you find any issues, fix them before the next storm hits.
• Schedule a professional roof inspection: If your roof is older or you’re unsure of its condition, bring in a roofer do a thorough inspection. They can spot issues you might miss and recommend any necessary repairs.
3. Secure Outdoor Items
High winds can turn patio furniture, grills, and even kids’ toys into dangerous projectiles. Securing or storing these items can prevent damage to your home.
Take these steps to prep your outdoor spaces:
• Anchor large items: Use straps or anchors to secure heavy, bulky items like grills and patio furniture.
• Trim trees and shrubs: Remove dead or overhanging branches that could break off in high winds, especially if they’re near your roof or power lines.
• Store garden tools and décor: Put away planters, wind chimes, and lawn ornaments before a storm. These objects can get knocked over and break—or even break windows or damage siding if they’re picked up by the wind.
4. Prepare for Power Outages
Summer storms often knock out power, sometimes for hours or even days. Being prepared will help you feel a little less powerless during a blackout.
Take these steps to prep your home for power outages:
• Stock up on flashlights and batteries: Keep them in easily accessible places throughout your home.
• Battery-operated weather radio: Stay informed about weather updates even if your Wi-Fi, cell phone, or TV goes out.
• Portable phone charger: Make sure you have a fully charged power bank to keep your phone charged in an emergency.
• Backup power: Consider a portable generator to keep essentials like your refrigerator or sump pump running during an outage. If blackouts are common in your area, a whole-home backup generator—capable of automatically powering your entire house—may be a smart long-term investment.
Now’s the time to inspect, repair, and prepare—before the next summer storm hits.
You can’t control summer storms, but you can control how well your home stands up to them. A few proactive steps can protect your home from damage and give you peace of mind knowing you’re ready for whatever weather comes your way.
