Staying Dry: 10 Spring Storm Tips You’ll Want to Know

Spring is beautiful, full of blooming flowers and warm, sunny days. However, it can also bring severe storms that can cause significant property damage. Staying prepared for such storms is crucial to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your belongings. In this blog, we will highlight ten essential tips for spring storm preparedness that you can follow to minimize the risk of damage and keep yourself and your loved ones safe during severe weather. 

What Can You Do to Prepare for Severe Spring Storms?

We can’t change the weather, but we can prepare ourselves to handle it better when it comes. Follow these 10 spring storm preparedness tips to protect yourself, your family, and your property from severe spring weather.

1. Trim Shrubs and Branches Near Home and Power Lines

Make sure no trees or bushes hang over the roof or any windows. During spring storms, these hanging limbs might shatter glass and roof shingles and cause other harm. A strong spring storm may easily rip away a loose branch and hurl it through the air. Remove all dead and broken branches. Clear trees and bushes away from power lines.

2. Check the Gutters

If your gutters are clogged, water can back up into your roof, meaning spring storm damage to your roof is much more likely. This often happens when the ice melts after accumulated winter debris blocks gutters. Keep drains and gutters clean and clear to ensure proper drainage. Also, ensure gutters are securely attached to the house to safeguard against strong winds.

3. Clear the Lawn of Debris

Ensure fallen branches and yard debris are picked up and not allowed to accumulate against your home’s foundation, windowsills, or doors. Strong spring storm winds can cause them to become projectiles. When a storm is imminent, secure all loose items in your yard, bringing them inside if possible, and move vehicles and equipment to high ground.

4. Caulk Windows and Doors

The windows and doors in your house may be susceptible to fractures that create the opportunity for spring storm damage that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise. Seal all cracks and gaps around doors with caulk, protecting them from spring storms. Caulking windows and doors help prevent leaks, which can lead to water damage.

At their most severe, spring storms can cause significant property damage.

5. Inspect The Roof

No matter what type of roof your home may have, inspect it in the springtime for signs of anything that may have been weakened over winter. Spring storms are usually turbulent and gusty, so any weakness will most likely be taken advantage of.

6. Prepare an Emergency Kit

In case of spring storm emergencies, it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit ready in your house. Include nonperishable foods and water bottles to last 3-5 days minimum, necessary prescription and non-prescription medicines, and first aid supplies in your kit. Blankets, warm clothes, and personal hygiene products are also recommended. If you have a pet, ensure you also have a spring storm emergency kit prepared for them. You should also have a working fire extinguisher handy.

7. Create a Disaster Preparedness Plan

Create a disaster preparedness plan. Establish an outside meeting place and escape routes from each room in your house. Also, practice the plan with family members. Include your pets in the plan and make sure they wear an ID tag. Ensure you and your family know how to turn off utilities and use a fire extinguisher.

8. Review Insurance Coverage

When planning for spring storm preparedness, review your insurance coverage with your agent and ensure you understand what’s covered and what isn’t. Obtaining flood insurance is generally a good idea since it isn’t included in standard homeowners’ policies. But don’t wait – flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.

Take a home inventory in case you need to file an insurance claim. Also, secure critical information in a waterproof container, such as documents, personal numbers, and insurance policies. After a spring storm passes, take note of any damage to your home so you can follow up with insurance companies who may need proof of spring storm damage. This includes photographing damaged items, such as broken windows, fallen trees/branches, etc.

9. Prepare the Garden Shed

Make sure your garden shed and all your tools and equipment are secured. You may not need to go into it during a spring storm, but knowing what needs protecting is better than nothing. Don’t forget to include the garden shed and other outbuildings in your inventory.

10. Check Your Sump Pump

If your home has a sump pump, check that it’s working correctly. A malfunctioning sump pump can contribute to flooding in your home when it fails to remove the incoming water, leaving water damage. Be sure to run through an essential maintenance checklist ahead of time to verify that everything is running smoothly.

Call PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services for Top-Notch Property Restoration

When disaster strikes, you need a reliable partner to help you navigate the aftermath. That’s where PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services comes in. Our expert team is available 24/7 to respond to your emergency and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and use of state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure that every job is done right. Whether you’re dealing with water damage, fire damage, or any other property damage, you can trust us to provide you with the expertise and support you need. Call us at (703) 579-8912 and let us help you get back on your feet!