Over 1,000 structures and 260,000 acres across Southern California have already been charred since massive wildfires started earlier this month. With the blazes still threatening 25,000 more homes, will there be anything home owners can do to fireproof their houses from a fire? You may not have the ability to fireproof a home completely, but building experts say there are many measures homeowners can take to reduce the potential risks of sustaining damage. Realtor.com® offers these suggestions.
4 Methods to Fireproof a Residence
Take extreme care with eucalyptus trees. The oil in eucalyptus trees-which are widespread in Southern California-is highly flammable and can result in the trees to explode when on fire, warns Los Angeles real estate developer Tyler Drew. He states homeowners should remove these along with other large trees near a home’s structure to help prevent fires from spreading to the house.
Ensure that your yard free of brush. Bushes, shrubs, dead branches, and vegetation near a home can be dangerous in a wildfire. “Clear brush away from your home, especially if you live in the hills or mountains,” Drew says. “At least 20 yards of brush clearance is what is recommended by most firefighters.”
Reinforce susceptible materials in a home. A house constructed from wood is far more at risk from catching fire than homes manufactured from other materials, including brick, cement block, stone, and ceramic tile, Drew says. “Stucco can work,” he notes, “but the wood beams behind stucco can still catch on fire if the wildfire burns close enough to your home.”
Replace the roof. Certain roofs tend to be more immune to falling embers and ash as opposed to others. “Tile and composite roofing shingles are a must these days, but some homes still use wooden shingles,” Drew says.
Have a questions or concern? Nick & Cindy Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you. We are always a just a click here away or call 813-300-7116