The main role of our homes is to keep us safe from harm and to make sure that we are warm, dry and sheltered from the elements. What a home is not meant to be then is a death trap, or a calamity waiting to happen – but that’s often precisely what real estate is. You might not know it, but there are countless ways that your home might currently be at risk and if you don’t do something about them you may well wake up one morning to find your front room leveled. Here we will look at the biggest threats to your home, and what you can do about them.

Gas Explosion

If you have a faulty boiler or oven then this is a serious issue that needs to be attended to. Even if it’s just very old or you occasionally smell gas, don’t ignore it or you may one day turn on the light and find the whole kitchen goes up in flames. Have your gas equipment checked regularly, make sure to be aware of leaks, and invest in a carbon monoxide alarm to make sure that you aren’t quietly poisoning yourself in your sleep.

Falling Trees

If you have any big trees in your garden, then you should recognize these as a potential threat. A strong wind, or rot setting in, can cause trees to collapse in your garden and this could lead to them falling into your property and causing massive destruction again. Even if a falling tree doesn’t hit your home itself, it could collapse on your car or just destroy your fencing or sheds.

The solution is to make sure to check on any large trees to time to time to make sure that they’re strong and healthy. If you notice rot setting in, or they don’t feel overly stable, then bring in a tree surgeon and just remove the top of it so that it won’t pose such a risk.

Flooding

Flooding is a serious problem that many properties face and which can completely ruin not only your home, but also all of your belongings. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do to prevent a flood if you are living on a flood plain, so the only solution is to try and avoid choosing a property that is at risk. On top of that, you should also make sure that you plan for this eventuality if there’s even the remotest possibility of it happening. This means looking for insurance that will cover you against flooding, and it means keeping your most valuable things above ground level.

Leaks

Flooding doesn’t just come from being on a flood plain though, it can also come through your walls if you’re unlucky or seep into your basement if you haven’t waterproofed it. Deal with any leaks or seepage with waterproofing early on, because otherwise it could progress and seriously damage your belongings and your property. And even if it doesn’t – while it’s there it will still be filling your lungs with moisture and your home with mold.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Creative Commons image source

Today’s guest author, Phil Ryan, works for a waterproofing company in Toronto. In his leisure time, he enjoys writing on a variety of topics that interest him.