Winter storms, rain and snow can quickly damage anddestroy your property.
Storm-proofing your home doesnt always have to cost a fortune.
Well show you how you’re free to protect your home and property on the cheap.
Here are 19 free or cheap ways to stormproof your home.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Be sure to check out ourroundup of the best homeowners insurance.
Know Your Homes Risk for Flooding
The best offense is a good defense.
That statement rings true for protecting your home against storms and flooding.
We recommend visiting the Federal Emergency Management AgencysKnow Your Risk webpageto learn more about your property.
Cut Down and Remove Tree Branches
We all know trees can become dangerous in high winds.
This preventive step can stop trees from wreaking havoc on your property.
Doing this can prevent water from entering your basement and damaging your homes structure or personal possessions.
A sump pump can pump water out of one location and into another.
Sump pumps work well in basements, pumping out any water that may leak in during a rainstorm.
While pumps are not a preventive measure, they are a powerful tool in fighting against flooding.
If your basement ever floods, youll have a strong line of defense against damage.
Build Up Sunken Areas and Channel Water Away
Grab a shovel and start digging.
Any water that is caught within a rain barrel is water that isnt puddling around your property.
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While hardware stores offerspecial foam insulationfor freeze prevention, another option is to wrap your pipes with towels.
Clean Your Gutters and Drains
Keeping your homes gutters clean is critical to preventing flooding and damage.
During heavy rains, gutters collect water from your roof and help to move it away from your home.
If your gutters are clogged, water will spill over, dumping onto the perimeter of your foundation.
This may lead to flooding.
Green spaces help to absorb water rather than create runoff, which may flood your property.
Install a Cheap Flood Alert Sensor
Flooding isnt only sparked by excess rain.
Flood alert sensors are relatively cheap and can prevent hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage.
Before a significant electrical storm, unplug your devices to prevent damage simply turning them off is not enough.
If you will be away from your property, turn off your electricity at the breaker.
Keep expensive electronics onsurge protectorsyear-round.
Storm shutters are a great way to protect windows, but they can be expensive.
A cheaper alternative to storm shutters is to affix plywood around your windows.
it’s possible for you to pick up plywood from a local lumber yard.
Download Free News and Weather Apps
Lastly, knowledge is power.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you oughta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Begin by understanding the storm and flood risks for your home.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
