Some people, for better or for worse, live in parts of the world where the weather is dry and arid year-round. You, on the other hand, may not be so lucky. Here’s how you can prepare your home for the impending rainy season in order to stave off excess damage.

Make Sure Your Roof Doesn’t Leak

Leaks are a problem for everyone everywhere. Even if you were to live in a home that didn’t get much rain, cracks and vulnerabilities would still develop; you simply wouldn’t notice them as they grew until the rain came. There are lots of ways you can potentially check for leaks, but there are also lots of ways for leaks to develop quietly and out of sight – so stay vigilant. Look for moist spots on your walls and ceilings. Mold and discoloration are a big red flag that can indicate a leak. Water wreaks havoc on wood especially fast, so check your attic regularly for similar signs.

Weatherproof Your Home

Weather can do a lot more than leak into your home. High winds can actively tear chunks of your house off. Flood waters are some of the most potentially dangerous disasters, regularly causing high loss of life and loss of property. Do the proper research to know what kinds of extreme weather can be expected in your locality. Then, weatherproof your home accordingly. A rotting deck can lead to an unstable and unsafe structure , so make sure it’s treated for moisture. Storm shutters will protect your windows and doors. Make sure you have everything in place for an emergency.

Get an Inspection

None of your exterior preparation will matter if your home is fundamentally compromised. This is particularly a danger with older properties that have already been around a few decades. Having a professional inspector come through to check your house out will mean that deep-rooted problems that may be hard to notice with the untrained eye can be found and treated. Problems with the foundation, for example, can be harder to spot but can also be quite serious. Make sure that every fundamental system - plumbing, electricity, etc. – can reasonably withstand a storm.

Prevention truly is the best cure when it comes to home maintenance. Be prepared for the possibilities. Invest the effort, time, and money necessary into preparing your home for an emergency – and when it does happen, you will be eternally grateful you did.

Read more: How to Avoid Expensive Future Home Repairs