When a wind storm or an earthquake hits, having a sturdy home for you and your family is an absolute must. Thankfully, there are some simple home improvement tips that can significantly increase your home’s structural integrity. These include:
Inspecting foundation walls for any potential cracks
With the changing climate, it’s important to take extra steps to protect your home – inspecting foundation walls for any potential cracks and repairing them is one of the most crucial measures. Weak or crumbling foundations can lead to all types of complications, from structural damage to water leaks, so having the concrete inspected by a professional and any necessary repairs done immediately is essential for creating a strong home.
Even seemingly minor cracks can cause mayhem if left unresolved. With a few easy preventive maintenance measures like an inspection, you can make sure that your house stands strong against whatever Mother Nature throws at it!
Securing tall furniture to the wall
One way to make the home safer is to secure tall furniture to the walls. This can help reduce the chances of a child tipping their favorite bookcase over or someone getting hurt if their dresser should shift and fall. Securing tall furniture to the wall is also great for ensuring that it lasts as long as possible and helps support heavier items you may want to store on it. Taking the time to secure your tall furniture properly will help increase your peace of mind that your home is a safe place for everyone inside.
Checking at least monthly if appliances have shifted away from walls
It is important to check monthly for changes in appliances, such as fridges and freezers if the walls are moving away from the appliance. If an appliance shifts even slightly, it can create considerable amounts of damage, both structurally and financially. Keeping up with regular checks ensures that any potential issues are identified before they become larger problems.
Making sure items in cabinets are securely stored
The last thing you want to happen around the house is for something to fall off a shelf or out of a cabinet and injure someone or break beyond repair. To avoid this, it’s important to make sure items in cabinets and other storage areas are securely stored. Making sure that heavier objects are placed on lower shelves and lighter items are placed higher can help avoid any unneeded surprises. Placing objects more snugly within the shelves themselves will also prevent them from sliding around or falling off when the cabinet is opened or closed. Securely storing your items will help make your home more sturdy and safe while providing much-needed peace of mind.
Fastening ceiling light fixtures tightly to the joists
A great way to make your home more sturdy is by fastening your ceiling light fixtures tightly to the joists above them. This seemingly minor step can make a huge difference, as having secure fixtures will minimize the likelihood of them becoming damaged or unsteady in windy weather. Additionally, making sure these fixtures are properly and securely fastened will help avoid any potential safety hazards, such as a fixture falling from the ceiling and striking someone.
Bolting decks and large objects like trampolines securely to the ground
If you are looking to make your home more sturdy, bolting decks or large objects such as trampolines to the ground is a great way to start. By doing so, you add stability and safety, ensuring that hazardous winds won’t move the object, causing potential danger if someone is using it. Furthermore, it will reduce potential noise pollution as objects can rattle when there are strong breezes and winds. However, it is important to use quality bolts and adhere to building codes so that they remain securely in place and ensure the object is intact after any storm.
Using hurricane straps when building roofs with rafters longer than 16 inches
Roof installation is an important part of your home, and ensuring that roofing is secure and sturdy should be a top priority. One way to make roof construction more sturdy is using hurricane straps when roof rafters are longer than 16 inches. By installing hurricane straps along roof rafter joints, roof components are held together stronger and can withstand forces from inclement weather such as heavy winds or hail. Installing the straps might take extra time but will result in added peace of mind knowing your roof construction is safer than with traditional techniques.
Ensuring minimal outdoor clutter
Clutter outside of your house such as benches, garden decorations, and furniture can easily become placeholders for debris in windy weather. If these items are not secured properly, they could cause additional danger to windows, doors, and other property. To avoid this potential hazard, secure any outdoor items with straps or anchors that are placed firmly into the ground. Also, store any free-standing objects near a wall or inside a secured shed or garage during potentially hazardous weather conditions.
Following these guidelines can help safeguard your family against unexpected events and make your living space much more secure.
