Homes are expensive to purchase. But once you do make that purchase, there are lots of known ways that they can get some serious damage to them as well, and those damages can relate directly to the initial cost of the home itself. In other words, the more expensive your home, the more that certain types of damage can cost you.

Five specific ways that damage can occur is through foundation damage, damage from pests, damage from flooding, damage from wind or severe weather, or damage from fire. And what you should note, as a homeowner, is that much of this damage is preventable!

Have Your Foundation Inspected

Since there are different types of foundations on different houses, and different ways of doing basements and other structures depending on environment and location, foundation work on a home is rather specialized. So if you want to avoid the trouble that comes with something like shifting soil underneath, you’ll want to have your foundation inspected every once in awhile, and a specialist will be able to tell you if there are any preventative measures that need to be taken.

Check For Pests

Pests like termites or carpet ants can do tremendous amounts of damage to your home. And when you think about how much money it would cost to repair the structure once there has been an infestation, you’ll realize that it’s important that if you see any signs of termites or carpenter ants, you should call a specialist immediately and find out what the options are for getting rid of them quickly and permanently.

Have a Plan for Flooding

Particularly for people who have finished basements, any kind of basement flooding can be disastrous. That’s why you need a sump pump with a backup generator in many cases, as there are cases when rain is going to be falling heavily at the same time the electricity power grid goes out.

Prepare for Severe Seasonal Weather

Wind can be one of the most destructive forces there is to your home and your landscaping outside. Tree branches can break and fall on things. Outdoor patios can be damaged. If you’re in a severe weather area, make sure that you have weather covers or maybe even a shed that you can put everything in when the weather acts up.

Maintain Your Fire Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

Finally, a lot of damage by fire is preventable. You just have to make sure that your fire alarms are in good working condition, and that you have fire extinguishers that are available in every part of your house in case of some kind of emergency that occurs.

Having a sturdy home is the key to living a secure and fulfilled life. With the right tools, resources, and preparations, you will be able to keep your house in good shape and avoid destruction and damage in the future.