Discourage Disaster: Planning Protects Assets
by Thomas Kraeutler
Florida had fires, Texas has floods, and hurricanes have hurried up our coast lines. Natural disasters have plagued man since the dawn of time and if you think you're safe - think again.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), every state in the country has been hit by flooding, fires or destructive high winds and 41 states have a significant earthquake hazard.
So what can you do? Plenty! Advanced planning for such an emergency can make recovery much easier. Here's where to start:
HOME HELP - Newer homes are more disaster-resistant, thanks to modern building codes. But if your house is more then a few years old, you can still reduce your risk:
Hurricane Tie-Downs - Roofs often go first in severe storms. Simple metal straps can keep roof rafters tied to the top wall of the house and prevent uplift during high winds. Straps can also secure walls to floors and keep floors tied tight to foundations.
Garage Doors - More homes are "blown-up" in storms then "blown-down". The reason? Weak garage doors are often blown into the house during a storm. When this happens, wind pressure fills the house with air and causes severe damage. Investing in a sturdy garage door may make sense
Foundation Bolts - These cost around $2 each and can save thousands of dollars worth of damage if high winds, floods or earthquakes try to force a house off its foundation.
Sewer Back-Flow Valves - Installing sewer back-flow valves can prevent dangerous, unsanitary, conditions caused by municipal sewer backups during severe flooding.
Appliance Strapping - Water heaters, fuel tanks and appliances that fall or spill during an earthquake or flood can cause contamination and fires. Special strapping is available to secure these components and prevent falling.
Hiring a building inspection professional to conduct a pre-disaster check of your home is a good way to uncover simple repairs that could save your house from serious damage if tragedy strikes. In fact, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), has forged agreements with major insurance companies so homeowners can receive discounts on insurance if an ASHI certified inspectors deems it safe.
DOCUMENT CONTENTS - Should disaster strike, an accurate inventory of your home's contents is a critical first step to getting back on your feet. An easy way to do this is to video tape each room of your home, making sure to open every drawer and closet. This remind you just what your home had in it you need to file a claim. If you don't have a video camera, borrow one or simply take photographs. Several computer software programs can also help you record your home's contents. One of the best is "Home Inventory", part of the popular home accounting software Quicken 98. This well designed program allows you to complete a comprehensive inventory in about an hour. It also records the value of each item and allows you to create claim reports for submission to your insurance carrier.
STORE SAFELY - It's important to store the inventory safely so the records can't be destroyed in the very disaster you're trying to protect against. In fact, keep all your important records off-site in a safe deposit box, or at least in a fire-proof box. Remember, if you're storing video tape or computer discs, you can not use a typical fire-proof safe. Fire-proof safes keep paper from burning but film and tape melt at a much lower temperature. To protect them, you'll need a special type of fire-proof box called a "media safe".
CHECK INSURANCE - Floods, the most common form of natural disaster, are not covered by homeowners insurance policies. However, flood insurance is available through the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program. In addition, ask your agent if you would qualify for the newly implemented Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage. ICC coverage is available to homeowners in high-risk areas and pays up to $15,000 for improvements to make homes less susceptible to flooding.
AFTER THE STORM - Following a natural disaster, it's important to inspect your home carefully. Obvious damage - like a broken window - is easy to spot. But, if you don't look closely, little problems could be missed and develop into big repair bills later:
Foundation Failures - Heavy accumulations of water can cause house foundations to weaken and fail. Look along both outdoor and indoor walls for any areas that may be cracked or bulging.
Flooded Fixtures - Replace any electrical component (like an outlet, appliance or furnace) that has been below flood waters.
Basement Blues - Severe weather can turn even the driest basement to turn into an indoor swimming pool. Remove damaged belongings and dry the basement with fans.
Windward Woes - Winter winds can rip through the outer skin of your house and cause damage in many areas. Examine every side of your house from the ground. Check for loose siding, metal trim and loose soffits. If parts are loose or missing - leaks can develop.
Cleaning Up - Use a good quality disinfectant on all surfaces. Flood waters can be contaminated with all sorts of bacteria.
STORM CHASERS - If your home needs repairs, be cautious when selecting contractors. Fly-by-night contractors sometimes spend hurricane season as "storm chasers", running from job to job promising emergency repairs and then disappearing with your deposit money before any work is completed.
Tom Kraeutler is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart! Tom appears regularly on CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and the DIY Network. He's a columnist for House Beautiful and do! Magazine and his work has been featured in Smart Money, Reader's Digest and in hundreds of daily newspapers across the nation. 
