Preparing your Home for the Spring Storm Season

Budding trees, blooming flowers and warmer temperatures signal the official arrival of spring. During this in between time of April and May our area has a tendency to produce cool, rainy days and other days that are hot and windy. This flux between hot and cold air masses in the weather patterns creates the potential of spring storms in the form rain, driving winds, lightening and hail. While Mother Nature is anything but predictable, especially in the Midwest, it’s smart to take the necessary steps to prepare your home for whatever the spring weather forecasts could bring.

Remove Old Growth – Dead shrubs and tree limbs are nothing more than dead weight, but that weight could spell trouble if a portion falls on your roof or car during a spring storm. Pruning dead or rotten branches can remove the possibility of this happening and will also help enhance new growth for the tree or plant.

Channel Water Away from the Foundation – Dirty gutters filled with rotten leaves, acorns and a season’s worth of organic debris can quickly inhibit the flow of water in the guttering of a home, leading to a backup that could end up in the basement. At least twice a year it’s necessary to make sure the gutters are clean or consider adding a layer of protection with Gutter Shield gutter protectors. The installation of seamless gutters can further eliminate the potential for leakage. Continental Siding offers guttering in 4-, 5- and 6-inch sizes for residential and 7-inch for commercial properties.

Create an Emergency Kit – Spring storms mean hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Basic prep starts with a plan and the creation of an emergency kit filled with bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-operated radio. Don’t forget to also review how to turn off the water and gas support lines in case of a disaster.

Siding Provides Durability

Depending on the impact of a storm, there’s always the potential for damage to the siding of the home. In vinyl siding, the most common damage comes from wind, hail and organic debris in the form of splits and cracks, chipping, breaking and holes. Aluminum siding can show damage in the form of dings or dents. When assessing for damage after a storm, conduct an inspection when the sun is low in the sky during the early morning or later in the evening. When the sun is high in the sky it can be difficult to see indentations and other damage.

In the variable weather of the Midwest, siding remains a smart choice for homeowners with a range of vinyl and polymer siding options. Free of seams or gaps, polymer siding can also eliminate claims to an insurance company for hail damage. Continental Siding’s limited lifetime warranty states that the siding will not peel, rot, blister, rust, flake, chip, crack or corrode when subjected to normal and proper use.

Siding Options from Continental Siding

• Seamless
• Shake
• Shingle
• Staggered
• Vinyl Stone/rock
• Vinyl brick
• Rock and brick veneer

Start the spring season with a little extra “insurance” in the form of vinyl or polymer siding. Stop by our Olathe or Wichita, Kansas, showrooms or our Missouri locations in Independence, Columbia and Springfield. Call today to learn more.