Posted on 01/01/2019
How to protect home from natural disaster
AuthorTanya Soni
A natural disaster can cause a huge damage to people’s lives and property. A natural disaster is a highly destructive event caused by earth, rain wind and fire. We often read headlines in newspapers about the damage caused by a natural calamity. Then one question arises in our mind that “Is my home ready for a natural disaster?” We can do very little to protect our house from these threats from nature, but taking some important steps can reduce its effect on ourselves and our property.
We make the most expensive purchase of a lifetime by buying a new home. So, to protect this
major investment, it is crucial to protect the home from natural disasters.
It is important to know how to prepare for the number of calamities from mother nature. It will save your property as well as the precious lives of your loved ones. Apart from checking your insurance coverage for the damage caused, you should do some things in advance.
Flooding
Flooding is the most common natural disaster and affects anyone regardless of where they live. Excessive rain gives birth to floods which overflow the rivers, lakes and dams and then results in causing a large amount of damage to people’s lives and property. Taking some steps to protect your home in advance will reduce any costly damage due to floods.
? You should always go for higher ground while buying a new home to protect yourself in
the event of a flood.
? Install an interior or exterior backflow valve. It should be installed on all pipes entering
the house. The gate valves open automatically to allow water to flow out and when
water tries to get in, it closed.
? Seal the basement walls with waterproof compounds.
? To help stop the flow of floodwater, flood walls can also be constructed.
? Keep maintained drainage system of your home. Keep gutters and drains free from garbage to keep them unclogged.
? The switches, sockets, wiring system at your home should be at least a foot above the assumed flood level in your area.
? Also, generators, fuel tanks and air-conditioning units should be anchored and raised above flood level.
? Have a waterproof lockbox where you can keep your important documents.
? If you are constructing a new home in an area which comes under flood zone, then raise it to the higher position and strengthen with some additional material.
Earthquakes
Earthquake is the most unpredictable natural calamity that occurs due to the shifting, breaking and sliding of the tectonic plates together in the earth. It releases the energy that causes the earth to shift and move. Thus, the shaking of the earth results into collapsing of buildings,homes, bridges etc.
India has a long history of earthquakes. Indian plate driving into Asia continent at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year is a reason for the intensity and high frequency of earthquakes in our country. You should understand what precautions to take to protect your home and family from the earthquake. There are a number of ways to prepare your home for this threat from nature.
? Before buying a home, do an inspection to find any crack in the foundation or any
defective wiring or connection. If found, make repairs as soon as possible.
? Make sure the walls, chimneys and roofs are strong enough.
? The heavy items that are at the risk to fall, secure them to the wall and floor like water
heaters and large appliances.
? The large furniture pieces and appliances should be anchored to reduce the risk of
them falling over.
? The breakable items should be placed on lower shelves or places.
? Install windows with rounded corners to reduce cracking and chipping.
? Make sure that the walls of the home have steel frames and turn off the electricity and
gas to prevent an explosion or fire.
Cyclones
Cyclones are characterized by inward spiraling winds creating an area of closed, circular fluid motion. It is an intense whirl over tropical or subtropical water with winds at low levels.
Cyclones mostly affect the people living in the coastal regions. But no matter where you live, it is necessary to take preventive measures to protect your home. It can cause damage to your home as a result of wind or flooding.
? If your home is located at a cyclone-prone area, then it is advisable to install permanent shutters to glass doors and windows.
? Keep checking gutters and roof to make sure that they are working in order and there is no leakage.
? You should add clips and straps to your roof to help maintain its structure.
? If possible, build a safe room in your home or basement. Design the room in such a way that it could remain unaffected from extreme winds.
? Keep trees and plants away from the house, especially from the windows and the roof.
Landslides
Landslides occur mostly due to heavy rains, floods, earthquakes, construction etc. They cause massive damage to life and property and in India, the rate of landslides are increasing every year. We can use some safety measures to protect our dream home from this natural calamity.
? Avoid building a home along natural erosion valleys, near drainage ways, close to mountain edges or near steep slopes.
? Ask the local officials whether debris flows have occurred in your area in the past.
Debris flows mean moving the mass of mud, sand, soil, rock, water and air that travels
down a slope under the influence of the gravity.
? Before buying or building a home, get the ground evaluated. Become familiar with the land around you. Learn whether debris flows have occurred in your area from locals. If occurring in the past, then it is likely to happen in the future.
? Protect your home by planting ground cover on slopes and building retaining walls.Retaining walls are designed to prevent dirt and stabilize a hill. They will help to stabilize a manageable slope and help contain smaller soil movements.
? Build a channel or diversion wall to direct the flow around the buildings. Minimize landscape irrigation, especially on the top of a slope, as overwatering can become the cause of the landslide. Make sure water and sewer lines are not leaking.
In the event of a storm, stay alert and awake as the storm can cause the landslide.
You cannot stop a natural calamity to occur, but following these ways, you can protect your
home from severe damage. Take these preventive steps and save your money.
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