May is National Remodeling and Home Improvement Month, so there’s no better time than the present to make those home upgrades you’ve been putting off! Sometimes, though, that to-do list can feel overwhelming. How do you know which upgrades need to be done first, and which ones can be saved for another day? At Paul Davis Restoration of Charleston, the safety and security of your home, not only today but also many years down the road, is the most important thing to us. We’ve put together a list of five smart upgrades you can make on your home to help protect you in case disaster strikes. Start with these home improvements first—your family will thank you!

1.      Upgrade your roof to downgrade wildfire damage

California residents have seen the terrible damage wildfires cause, but wildfires can pop up in any part of the country. To help protect you during a fire, upgrade your roof to an ignition-resistant, non-combustible material, such as concrete tile or asphalt composition shingles. In the event that a fire does come into contact with your home, a non-combustible roof will greatly increase the chances that your roof won’t catch fire or cave in, giving you and your family additional time to evacuate.

2.      Install impact-resistant windows to protect yourself in a hurricane

It’s tough to fight back against one of Mother Nature’s most powerful forces, but one step you can take to keep safe during a hurricane is to install impact-resistant windows, particularly if you don’t have a storm shelter or any windowless rooms. Windows are your home’s weakest point, so hurricane winds often shatter them, flinging glass and debris everywhere. Impact-resistant windows have sturdier frames than traditional ones and feature multiple layers of glass to keep the inner pane intact. This is one simple upgrade that will give your family peace of mind during hurricanes, tornadoes and straight line wind storms.

3.      Cool upgrade for heat wave season

Even if your home has air conditioning, you may find yourself overheated when the mercury rises. One quick upgrade of protection during a heat wave is to install weather stripping around all windows and doors. If you already have weather stripping installed, carefully check each section for any leaks and caulk holes. If you have a window-mounted air conditioner, make sure the unit is snug against the window. Finally, keep your shades closed during a heat wave to eliminate any excess sunlight.

4.      Keep dry in a flood with a battery-powered sump pump

The 2011 Mississippi River floods were some of the most damaging floods in the past century. An easy preventative upgrade to protect your home in a flood is to buy a battery-powered sump pump to treat pooled water around your home. Because it’s not run on electricity, you can use it even when the power is out. This way, a great deal of damage to your home can be easily avoided.

5.      Clean and protect your gutters
Falling leaves and winter storms can cause leaves, branches and dirt to clog your gutters and downspouts. When spring and summer rains come, it can cause water to back up under your shingles. This is a great time to clean your gutters out and protect them with a gutter guard. Gutter guards act like a filter, preventing leaves, twigs and other debris from entering them while allowing water to flow freely. They are inexpensive and can be picked up at most home supply stores.