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1. Clean and Maintain Gutters

Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and debris is critical to preventing water damage and diverting water from your home. Depending on your home size, this can be a cheap and easy maintenance project to keep your home safe in heavy rains. Typically, this can be accomplished by hand with just a ladder. A towable bucket lift can make this project more manageable and efficient if you feel uncomfortable on a ladder or have a larger home with high peaks. You should check your gutters at least once a year and maintain them as needed. If you have a lot of leafy trees around your house, installing gutter guards can drastically cut the maintenance required annually. 

2. Install or test your Sump Pump

A basement is an excellent feature of many Georgia homes, but they are also often more at risk for flooding and water damage. A reliable sump pump is important for keeping your basement dry, especially when the ground is saturated with water and rain. A sump pump removes water from the soil beneath your basement and prevents water buildup around the basement walls. If you already have a pump installed, you are halfway there! We recommend testing your pump regularly by following the manufacturer’s recommendations about once a year. This is usually a simple process that only requires a bucket of water and a few minutes. If you don’t have a sump pump, it might be time to consider adding one. If you want to tackle the project yourself, check out this article from Bob Villa to get an idea of what the project entails and the types of tools required, like a demo hammer. If you decide this is a bigger project than you want to take on yourself, we’ll be happy to recommend some high-quality contractors to help you get the job done!

3. Check your Roof Shingles

Loose shingles are vulnerable to strong winds and allow leaks. So, while you are working on your gutter, take a few minutes to survey your roof and look for trouble spots. If you find some minor issues you can make the quick fix yourself. Here’s a helpful how-to from This Old House to get you ready to do minor roof repairs. If you’ve recently had a storm and aren’t ready to hop on a ladder, a fun way to do a quick is to grab a drone and fly by!

4. Trim Trees and Overhanging Branches

One of the most common sources of storm damage, other than water, is caused by falling trees and tree limbs. High winds can turn overgrown branches into dangerous projectiles. It’s essential to maintain any trees that could impact your house by trimming branches too close to your home and taking down unhealthy trees. The University of Georgia has some great tips on checking your trees' health here. If you keep up proper maintenance, this is often a project you can complete on a weekend with a few tools like a chainsaw, chipper, and stump grinder. Of course, we recommend recruiting a professional if you have a tree or limb that could impact your house. For recommendations, give us a call!

5. Seal Cracks in Your Foundation

Another simple project to minimize water damage to your home is regularly checking the foundation for any visible cracks. If left unaddressed, these can lead to major issues like structural damage. In most cases, a tube of foundation sealant can be a quick fix to help prevent future problems. 

6. Install French Drains

French drains take the water coming through the downspouts from your roof and redirect them underground away from your house. Not only do they help prevent water damage, but they also help with unsightly erosion from the spouts disrupting your expertly manicured landscaping! With a trencher or a small excavator, you can do quick work of burying the corrugated pipe and routing the water from your downspouts. Just make sure to plan the location and grade of your installation carefully. Check out these tips from the LSU College of Agriculture before getting started with this project.

7. Secure Outdoor Furniture and Equipment

This one may seem obvious, but it’s often forgotten. Anything that could become a projectile in a bad storm should be brought inside or secured before a storm.

8. Regrade Your Yard

Depending on how your yard drains, regrading can be a simple fix or a big project. A simple dry creek bed style can be an easy fix with some river rock and a mini skid steer. If you have a more significant drainage issue, it might be best to work the project in as part of a more extensive landscape redesign. Because this type of project can vary greatly depending on what you are looking to accomplish, just give us a call to discuss it, and we will recommend the right tools to get the job done or help you select a qualified landscaper to help you turn your drainage issue into a backyard oasis. Just give us a call!

Incorporating these storm-prevention projects into your regular home maintenance routine can significantly reduce the risk of damage and give you peace of mind when bad weather strikes. Whether it’s something as simple as cleaning your gutters or a more involved project like installing French drains, staying proactive is vital to keeping your home safe and sound. Don’t wait for the next big storm to scramble for last-minute fixes. Take action now, and you’ll be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way!