Small Actions Around the House to Prevent Big Problems | SERVPRO of Marietta West

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

When disasters strike unexpectedly and lead to a damaged home, call SERVPRO of Marietta West.

Sometimes disasters strike out of the blue, and after the damage has been done, homeowners are left wishing they had done more to safeguard the house they love. Thankfully, there are ways you can protect your home and the valuables inside by making minor changes to avoid a huge catastrophe! 

Numerous Marietta homes were destroyed after a tornado ripped through the city in 2018, leaving residents with the difficult task of rebuilding. The importance of defending our homes against such dangers cannot be overstated because events like this can have a serious impact on our neighborhood. 

Here are a few simple changes you can make around your house to mitigate the destruction of unpredictable disasters: 

Move valuables to a safer area. When it comes to protecting your home from unpredictable conditions, you never know what could be affected in the process. Important items inside and outside of your home can all be damaged by natural and manmade disasters. 

It’s a good idea to bring any outdoor furniture, a grill, equipment or vehicles inside to your garage, shed or house—or to secure them sturdily outside the home. That way, if severe winds are present, these objects won’t be lost or become projectiles that could damage your home. 

Precious heirlooms like family photos and jewelry, or important documents like birth certificates and medical records, can all be devastated by events like a house fire or a flood. Make a point of organizing any important valuables or documents and storing them in an air-tight container up high where the elements can’t reach. Consider digitizing items like photos or documents to ensure they are extra-protected! 

Dust away. Dust bunnies may appear to be nothing more than an annoyance, but they can actually work to fuel fires. Dust can ignite fast and allow flames to spread more quickly throughout the house. 

Make sure to regularly dust around your house, paying close attention to any appliance that emits heat. Dust off items like bathroom fans, space heaters and outlets to eliminate a fire hazard. 

Create a beautiful (and functional) yard. A well-kept lawn can help to reduce the spread of wildfire flames, offer powerful winds less to work with during a storm and prevent flood and rain water from accumulating on your property. 

Clearing your yard of debris such as dead leaves, unsecured furniture or other debris can help prevent all of these disasters from affecting your home.

Defensible space is a key element in fighting back against outdoor fires. A well-planned yard can slow the spread of flames and give firefighters room to work when wildfires are burning. Trimming branches, clearing your gutter often, and removing dead plants can all help slow the spread of flames. 

Floods and heavy rain are another concern for Marietta homeowners. Excess water can flood your yard and lead to damage on the inside and outside of your property. 

You can prevent this damage by stopping water in its tracks with a creative landscape. Utilize mulch, native plants and rain gardens to keep water from inclement weather from ruining the beauty of your home! 

When disasters strike unexpectedly and lead to a damaged home, our team at SERVPRO is ready to help. We have years of experience in all areas of disaster and can return your home to its preloss state. Contact us today.