How to Protect Your Home Against Common Weather-Related Issues

A home is a major investment that requires constant attention and consistent maintenance. Whether you’ll remain in the same house forever or sell it within the year, it’s important to keep everything in tip-top shape. When left unattended, even the smallest issues can cause expensive or irreparable damage. Staying up to date on repairs also ensures that your home maintains its value over time. Due to California’s active climate, weather poses an ever-present threat to homes throughout the state. Here are some tips for handling the more common weather-related issues that homeowners face in the Golden State. 

Rainfall

California experiences a weird combination of severe droughts and torrential downpours. Although the state doesn’t receive much rainfall throughout the year on average, it seems to stick to the old adage: when it rains, it pours. This unexpected rainfall, combined with the inexperience that the average Californian homeowner has with precipitation, can make a nasty recipe for home damage, including leaks, mold, and more. The best way to combat these issues is to have your roof, windows, and basement inspected once a year to ensure they’re up to snuff. And when water damage does arise, make sure to get it taken care of immediately. 

 Natural Disasters 

 From the most recent wildfires scouring through forests to powerful earthquakes tearing up the land, the Golden State is no stranger to natural disasters. In fact, California is the second-most vulnerable state when it comes to natural disasters, just behind Texas. While protecting your house against random acts of nature may seem pointless, every little bit could potentially help. For example, keeping your yard free of any flammable debris can help prevent a fire from spreading. Boarding up your windows during major storms protects against strong winds. Be sure to stay up to date on the latest weather developments and heed the advice from local authorities. Clean up after a natural disaster is perhaps the most important step to ensure your home doesn’t experience any long-term issues. 

 Sun Damage 

California has some of the sunniest cities in the world, meaning that these places have clear skies for the vast majority of the year. While this sounds like a definite positive for homeowners, there are some potential downsides. The sun is strong enough to damage the sides and roof of a home during prolonged periods of exposure. Using appropriate roof tiles and sun resistant paint is a great place to start to protect your home from damage. Consistent inspections can also make sure any present damage doesn’t worsen or lead to any associated problems. 

 How Weather Can Impact the Value of Your Home 

 Protecting your home against the negative effects of inclement weather isn’t just about maintenance. There is also a financial motivation for this upkeep. A less-than-perfect roof or damaged siding can have a major impact on the value of your house. Even if you’re not interested in selling right now, this damage will only worsen and further decrease your home’s resale value if not addressed immediately. To maximize your home’s monetary value, homeowners in California should get regular inspections and take care of weather damage right away. If you’re still experiencing issues after a roof repair, you may have to consider replacing the entire thing. After all, homes with a well-maintained roof sell faster and for higher prices. 

 Californian homeowners are at a unique risk of having their homes impacted by weather. Preventing any potential damage and addressing resulting issues immediately are the best ways to ensure your home’s value isn’t negatively impacted. 

 By:  Natalie Jones

Natalie and her husband found the homebuying process to be incredibly overwhelming, but definitely a learning experience. Natalie hopes to help other first-time buyers by sharing her knowledge.