A house is so much more than just a structure. It is the place that keeps family safe, the gathering spot for festive dinners and long games of charades, and a source of comfort when we are feeling lost. Most people would do anything to protect their home.
But unfortunately, many homeowners are in the dark when it comes to safeguarding their space. In order to keep your home safe, educate yourself with the below list of hazards, created in partnership with WallyHome.
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1
An Undetected Leak
Why It's A Threat: Water damage is pretty terrifying, especially since you might never see it coming. When water leaks onto any organic material over a sustained period of time, mold and rot can develop, leading to structural issues as well as costly damage, both to your wallet and the environment.
How To Protect Your Home: You can help prevent water damage by investing in a water leak detection system like WallyHome. By monitoring for changes in humidity and temperature, the system protects your home from devastating leaks.
How To Protect Your Home: You can help prevent water damage by investing in a water leak detection system like WallyHome. By monitoring for changes in humidity and temperature, the system protects your home from devastating leaks.
2
A Lightning Storm
Why It's A Threat:Summer lightning storms can cause home fires that cause nearly $1 billion in property damage each year, according to the Lightning Protection Institute.
How To Protect Your Home:The IBHS suggests using a whole-house surge protector to prevent fires from occurring.
How To Protect Your Home:The IBHS suggests using a whole-house surge protector to prevent fires from occurring.
3
Pests
Why It's A Threat:A variety of pests can wreak serious havoc on your home. In a small space like an attic, creatures like wasps or bats can build nests and destroy wiring or framing.
How To Protect Your Home: Secure crawlspaces and vents with hardware cloth or welded-wire fabric can keep away these bugaboos.
How To Protect Your Home: Secure crawlspaces and vents with hardware cloth or welded-wire fabric can keep away these bugaboos.
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4
Yard Hazards
Why It's a Threat: High winds stemming from thunderstorms to hurricanes can lead to flying debris, endangering your home and vehicles.
How To Protect Your Home:
Take the time to complete the checklist below:
-Trim trees in your yard of any limbs that seem weak, especially those near your home or utility lines. Have an arborist inspect larger trees in your yard.
-Replace gravel and rock landscaping with softer materials like mulch or dirt.
-Secure fencing around your home.
-Before a storm arrives, move loose objects from the yard into the house.
How To Protect Your Home:
Take the time to complete the checklist below:
-Trim trees in your yard of any limbs that seem weak, especially those near your home or utility lines. Have an arborist inspect larger trees in your yard.
-Replace gravel and rock landscaping with softer materials like mulch or dirt.
-Secure fencing around your home.
-Before a storm arrives, move loose objects from the yard into the house.
5
Aging Sewer Systems
Why It's A Threat: Problems with water and sewer lines are becoming more common as America's sewer systems age. If a sewer backs up into your home, it could damage everything from your floors to your electrical systems. A 2013 report by the The National Association of Water Companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce revealed that there are 650 water main breaks per day in the U.S.
How To Protect Your Home: Determine the age of your pipes, assess their need for repair, and look out for warning signs of leakage like a continously dripping faucet, or slow toilet drainage.
How To Protect Your Home: Determine the age of your pipes, assess their need for repair, and look out for warning signs of leakage like a continously dripping faucet, or slow toilet drainage.
6
Termites
Why It's a Threat: It sounds like something out of a movie, but a colony of termites can cause serious damage, destroying a home's structural support by eating away at wood, flooring or wallpaper. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $5 billion worth of damages in homes across the U.S. each year.
How To Protect Your Home:To be absolutely certain that you are termite-free, have a pest control company inspect your home.
How To Protect Your Home:To be absolutely certain that you are termite-free, have a pest control company inspect your home.
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7
Hailstorms
Why It's A Threat: According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, hail causes about $1 billion dollars in damage each year. These balls of ice can mean serious issues for your roofing and siding. In 2013, there were 5,457 major hail storms.
How To Protect Your Home:Find out if your area is prone to hail damage, and consider investing in roofing coverings that provide higher-impact resistance.
How To Protect Your Home:Find out if your area is prone to hail damage, and consider investing in roofing coverings that provide higher-impact resistance.