Calm Before The Storm

How homeowners can protect themselves from what nature may unleash

Damage prevention is best and starts with building codes. They vary among local governments, by the home's location within a jurisdiction, by construction type, by whether the house is in a flood plain and more. Codes change. Nothing stops a homeowner from deciding to go for the most wind-resistant roofing shingles over what's required. Experts advise this: If you're making changes in your home - aside from new construction, which has to meet the current code - ask what extra protection an upgrade will give you and the cost.

Because the Baltimore area is infrequently pounded by the kind of storms that are a huge concern, the way the Florida coast is, storm shutters for windows and extra hurricane tie-downs for roofs are neither routine nor sought-after, said Stephen R. Dallmus, an architect and Baltimore home inspector for 29 years.

Michael Owings, general manager of Owings Brothers Contracting in Eldersburg and president-elect of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, said in recent years, screened porch roofs must be better secured to the structure than in the past, and owners should make sure the roofs on accessory structures are secure. He recalled seeing the roof of an older gazebo on a golf course lift off in a storm.

Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete include storm-damage prevention tips in their book, My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure, due out next month. On their nationally syndicated radio show The Money Pit, heard on WVIE-AM locally, how to deal with wet basements is a big listener concern, Kraeutler said.

The first steps are basics for the top and bottom of the house.

"Make sure the gutters are clean, even if you don't see stuff sticking over the top. I can't tell you how often I have pulled out tennis balls and other stuff," Kraeutler said.

Same for downspouts. "Extend the downspouts 4 to 6 feet from your house," he said, to help eliminate basement flooding.

"Make sure, if you have a basement and you have an exterior drain, that it is cleaned out," said Altmeyer, the Baltimore County building inspection chief.

Homeowners should check for leaks. Roofs, siding and shutters should get a thorough inspection for loose, missing and pried parts, and for good seals around vent pipes, chimneys and the like - and get repaired. Caulk should be in good shape, and windows, skylights and doors should seal well.

A leak in the flat roof on a city rowhouse is more serious than on a sloped roof, Dallmus said.