When winter weather arrives, some home owners are more inclined to feel positive about it whereas others will be filled with dread. Personally, I am interested in understanding what value people ascribe to winter weather. Do they appreciate the opportunity to go out and engage in activities like sledding and building snowmen? Or do they worry about the risk of extreme conditions and very low local temperatures that could have lasting effects on their homes?
Home owners can take measures to protect their homes and families from these harmful severe conditions.
Temperature
With climate change delivering extreme weather on an extended hot streak, homeowners have never worried more about the wellbeing of the home. Flooding, wildfires, storms, hurricanes, extreme heat and other weather events are taking a toll on homes, resulting in devastating losses that can leave families overwhelmed. Should we fortify our homes, adding ‘extra defences’ such as backup plans and emergency kits or stockpiles of water, food and other supplies in order to be prepared in case of disaster? If we should, is it a better use of resources to fortify an existing home or to build a fortified home from the ground up? Fortified homes do that – they make sure you are ready.
How do you feel about winter weather? Are you in an area where people love to see a snow dump? Or do they fear it when winter storms approach? No matter where you live, as a homeowner there are lots of things you can do to prepare your home for the winter weather, whether it is high-tech, such as fancy thermostat and camera systems to remotely monitor your home, or low-tech, such as calling a neighbor or friend to ask them to check in once a day, or every other day, or to drive by your home and call, text or send you an email if anything doesn’t look right.
Wind
Wind is the element which is the most able to destroy human structures, cars and buildings. And on top of being so fast, it often occurs in storm surge and rainfall that amplifies its destructive effects.
If a windstorm is coming, start by paying close attention to local weather reports and saying home if you are advised to evacuate. Otherwise, take refuge in an interior, ground-level room with a view of your home’s interior that is as far away from doors and windows as possible. Have your emergency kit with you, since an exciting storm presents great opportunities for creative problem solving.
Secure your property and remove anything that could fly around in the high winds, and conduct a thorough check after the storm has passed to assess and repair what you find.
Rain
Flash floods wreak havoc when weather brings prolonged wet conditions, and threatens our home. Keep drainage around your home unobstructed. Channeling water is a way that your home is less likely to suffer basement flooding or foundation cracking. Electrical and gas lines should additionally be easily accessible; otherwise, if water flushed in through wall outlets or other electronics, your power line could be tainted with a deadly current, or your gas pipes could leak gas as a result of such water exposure.
When a storm is forecasted, it is wise to move loose items outside, at least temporarily. Furniture such as trampolines and roof iron should be moved away from the house in case the wind catches them during high gusts and hurls them against windows or roofs. Also, check trees on your property for hazards before the storm season.
Snow
It might be a spectacular sight to admire snowfall, but when your personal abode is prostrate and your water pipes are frozen, winter ordeals can be devastating. Homeowners have to bear the brunt of the losses.
To guard against it, prepare for it by taking these steps: caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows, insulate water lines, purchase bags of ice melt or sand for walkways and driveways, check smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors, make necessary plans, stay informed with local news broadcasts, contact utility companies for status updates and create an emergency plan in case conditions deteriorate. All of these actions might help.
Keep this in mind: Being informed could be the difference between an unexpected weather being severe or minor.
Humidity
The amount of moisture in the air is called humidity, It can be measured with a device name hygrometer. Humidity is an important factor in life. On the one hand, if humidity is too high, some constructional material of wood or paper products or electronic devices will be affected .On the other hand, sometimes its presence will cause condensation, mold growth or even rot .So, we should strictly check the information of air humidity.
Weather forecasters, for example, usually write about humidity in terms of relative humidity: the actual amount of moisture as a percentage of what would ordinarily be present at that temperature.
Some parts of the world are more humid than others. At elevated temperatures, humidity is experienced as a discomfort – which is why heat-index charts are compiled on hot summer days and they incorporate both ambient air temperature and relative humidity.
