PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

Essential Home Upgrades to Protect Against Severe Weather (and Increase Property Value)

Window upgrades emphasize simple solution

Almost half of all US homes are at a severe or extreme risk of flood, hurricane winds, wildfires, heat, and hazardous air quality, highlights the 2024 Housing and Climate Risk Report from Realtor. “Understanding climate risk in the housing market is crucial as these challenges not only jeopardize residential safety but also impact property values, insurance costs, and market stability,” explain authors of the report. In states that experience hurricane-force winds, simple and smart upgrades can go a long way in proactive home protection.

Aside from floods, windows are often a major concern in areas that experience high winds from weather events like hurricanes. The Spruce points out that while hurricane windows are designed to combat certain wind speeds, those known as ‘impact windows’ work to resist wind as well as debris via laminated layers. The Spruce goes on to explain that while these types of windows can be safer for homes in regions where severe weather is a concern, they can also work to offer cost efficiency in the long run as they boast insurance and energy conservation. Professional installation of impact windows is key, as a reputable company that specializes in window installation will see to it that quality windows are secure and installed in a timely manner. Furthermore, a reputable window installation company may offer additional services that can further prepare a property for severe weather — such as impact doors, which are resistant to debris and forced entry by high winds.

Flood prevention — a modern must for homeowners

As of 2022, nearly 45,000 US properties are what the National Flood Insurance Program considers to be “severe repetitive loss properties,” highlights one analysis. This means that these properties have experienced multiple severe floods. Yale Climate Connections points out that this is about a 20% increase from four years earlier, a fact that underlines the stark reality of floods for homeowners across the country, as many of these homes are likely to flood again. Thankfully, there are several home upgrades that can help prevent a household flood and water damage. The integration and proper maintenance of a gutter system is just one simple way to prevent water damage, as blocked gutters can result in basement floods. Furthermore, routine roof inspections can help proactively manage leaks and shingle replacement. It’s important to note that there are more significant upgrades that can be made to help weatherproof your home in regard to flood prevention. The installation of a sump pump, for example, will work to remove excess water that enters the basement. However, even this isn’t always a foolproof solution, as your home can become flooded if other issues are present — for example, if the property has a sloped pavement or cracked foundation. While these issues can be solved independently, other upgrades like a graded yard can make for a large yet effective solution.

A graded yard is defined as a leveled yard that results in the creation of a mild incline. As a result, rainwater and other precipitation will be directed away from the home’s foundation. This Old House notes that ideally, the lawn around the home would have a slope of about five percent. “That means that the surface of the ground 10 feet away from your house would be about 6 inches lower than the ground right next to your foundation.” With that in mind, it’s important to note that grades between three and 25% are typically considered acceptable as well — if it’s less, it may need to be regraded. On the other hand, This Old House points out that a slope that exceeds 25% may result in erosion (and would therefore require a process called a landscape grade).

Weatherproof upgrades are a must for properties that are susceptible to damage from severe weather. From window upgrades in areas that experience strong, hurricane-force winds to the value in significant upgrades like a graded yard to prevent basement floods, such upgrades can be ideal ways to both protect the property and increase the property’s value in the long run.