Sunshine and Summer Storms: 4 Tips to Weatherproofing Your Home

The sunshine of summer brings thoughts of beaches, boating on the lake and vacations to fun places. However, summer sunshine along with summer thunderstorms can be hazardous to your home. Weatherproofing your home for the summer months does more than just protect it from damage. These four tips can not only reduce the risk of damage from storms, they can also lower your energy costs.

Caulk Any Cracks

The gaps and cracks in the average home are the equivalent to leaving a window open year-round. The best way to avoid these almost invisible leaks is to caulk crevices. Start from the bottom of your house and check for holes in floors where wires enter or leave your home. Caulk the edge of your foundation where it meets siding as well as under baseboard trim and along subflooring. Check the caulk installed around windows and doors to see if any caulk that was originally installed has cracked or broken.

Expanding Foam Insulation

Expanding foam insulation seals holes, gaps, cracks or other openings that are too large or too impractical for caulk. The trim around doors, between trim and under doorjambs are often good areas to add expanding foam insulation. Electrical outlets are often poorly insulated so adding foam may protect your home from air leaks. One area where foam insulation works well is in basements and crawlspaces.

Waterproofing your basement is another way to protect your home from storm damage. Storm water can be extremely damaging, so even if your basement is not finished, you want to keep as much water out of your basement as possible. It can be tricky to handle on your own, so it’s not a bad idea to work with a company like Rite-Way Waterproofing or someone similar to ensure this job is done right.

Trim Tree Branches

Trees provide a significant amount of shade in the summer, but they can also be dangerous during summer thunderstorms. Trim branches that hang over your home back to keep them from falling on the roof during a storm. This can also keep leaves and sticks out of your gutters, reducing the chance of ice blockages in the winter.

Install Insulated Window Treatments

Today, window treatments come in a wide variety of insulated materials. From shades to draperies, you can find many different styles, sizes and types of treatments that keep the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter. In the summer, keep south facing window coverings closed to keep air conditioning costs down but open them in the winter to reduce your heating costs.

These four tips are simple ways to reduce your energy costs in both summer and winter. These tips can also help protect your home during summer thunderstorms that can be very damaging.