Make sure your home can adapt to climate change before it succumbs to the dangers of global warming and climatic variations. A recent report by First Street Foundation found that 8.1 million U.S. residents are expected to undergo temperatures as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit by 2023. By 2053, more than 107.6 million Americans could live in an extreme heat belt.
With climate change comes more natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which cause severe damage to homes through high winds and flooding. One in three homeowners has already experienced dealing with repairing the damage done by extreme weather or other climate change issues. Still, only 40 percent have been proactive enough to guard themselves and their homes against future damage.
Keep reading to discover some tips to help your home withstand climate change and severe weather events. Protect yourself and your family from harm by adapting some of the ideas below.
Extreme Heat
Too much heat and humidity can actually cause mold and warping of wood floors, which is extremely costly to remedy. To protect your house from extreme heat, upgrade your insulation to the most efficient type on the market: spray-foam insulation. Then, upgrade your windows with double- and triple-panes, which offer superior protection than single-paned. Siding should also be considered since stucco is sturdier than vinyl in high temperatures. Upgrade your HVAC system or install a whole-home dehumidifier to help reduce humidity and keep costs down. Lastly, add ventilation fans in your attic to ensure adequate air exchange.
Hurricanes
Giving your house a double whammy with severe wind and extreme flooding, hurricanes are natural disasters of high magnitude and should not be taken lightly. Ensure your roof is tightly secured without loose shingles or weak spots. Metal roofs are safer than shingles for hurricanes but are more expensive. Installing storm shutters and doors is imperative to protect your home from hurricanes. Broken glass can cause a lot of damage. Consider upgrading your garage door to a storm-rated type, which is double-reinforced. Finally, remove all dead trees and plant new trees far away from your house to prevent potential future damage.
Floods
Houses in low-lying areas are especially susceptible to flooding, and climate change is causing an increasing amount of ice to melt, resulting in more Earthly water. Investing in a sump pump and flood vents is one of the most important things a homeowner can do to protect it from flood damage. Sump pumps remove excess water, and flood vents prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup. If you live in an area that loses power often or is prone to storms, invest in a whole-home standby generator to ensure your sump pump and other imperative appliances continue to work through outages. Seal basement walls every few years to keep water out and protect the home from major storms.
Interested in making some upgrades to your home? Contact JFC Remodeling for a free estimate today!
JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call or email us to learn more.
Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/