How To Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Effective measures to protect home from wildfires.

With the climate around the world rapidly changing and warming, there has been a dramatic increase in spontaneous wildfires. Thousands have lost their homes as fires burn and spread uncontrollably through vast areas. The West Coast and parts of the south have been particularly hard hit in the past decade.

Wildfires can be close to impossible to control. If the area has been in drought there is plenty of fuel around to cause even the smallest brush fire to quickly go out of control. When this happens in your area, the largest fears are losing your home and your family’s safety. The most common type of fire damage to homes starts on the roof. When fires are burning out of control, there are a lot of burning embers and debris that can land easily on your unprotected roof.

Choosing protective landscaping like a gravel house perimeter and using fire resistant roofing materials can make all the difference in an emergency situation. For more information about fire safe roofing go to https://westchaseroofing.com/ for expert advice. Take a look at some of the tips for homeowners who may be concerned about their roof safety in a wildfire situation.

How to protect home from forest wildfires.
fire

Preventative Action

The priority during a wildfire is to make sure that your family is safe. If you are asked to evacuate you should not delay. Wildfires can move incredibly quickly and change direction in a heartbeat. Trying any last-ditch efforts to save your home is not worth the risk. If you are in an area where wildfires could be a threat it is best to prepare your property and home before there is an emergency.

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You should be diligent about your outdoor landscaping. All overhanging trees should be kept trimmed away from your roof. Any lawn debris or junk piles around the perimeter of the property should be cleaned up. If you use firewood, it should be stored in an area away from any buildings and preferably in a metal wood box for safety. Make sure that any paint or chemical containers are properly stored and in a shed or garage separate from your house. Having a working outdoor hose in the front and rear of your home can be used to drench your home and roof to try to stave off any fires.

Smart Material

Your roof’s best defense against the damage of wildfires is to be made from fire resistant smart materials. There are a number of traditional and modern materials that can be effective in reducing the risk of roof fires. The Class A roofing materials listed below are strong enough to be fire resistant in high temperature contact and can help you to protect your home from wildfires.

Rubber

  • Made from recycled tires and plastic materials coated in a high heat fire retardant

Asphalt

  • Makes up 80% of all current roofing material
  • Affordable and easy to install
  • Made with a durable and fire resistant fiberglass base

Clay

  • Fireproof
  • Used mostly in commercial construction
  • Very heavy and requires industrial strength support

Slate

  • Non-combustible
  • Can withstand heat from direct flames
  • Expensive and difficult to install

Metal

  • Becoming a popular option in new homes
  • Steep slope for areas with high snow accumulation
  • Lightweight and can be installed directly over old roof
  • Available in copper, steel or stainless steel
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