Here in the Caribbean, extreme weather events have become an inevitable part of life. In just one year, we can expect to experience prolonged periods of drought and scorching heatwaves, heavier than average rainfall and flash flooding, and stronger, more frequent storms. This, unfortunately, is our climate reality, and we must be prepared.
Managing the effects of climate change requires making climate smart choices for your home, like switching to solar power and energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy costs and rainwater harvesting to supplement water storage. However, for this blog post, we shall focus on climate resilient homes, particularly in the context of hurricane season. While climate resilient homes are designed to withstand the threats of climate change, they do not completely eliminate risk. But they do play a critical role in reducing damage, protecting your assets and helping you recover faster after a storm.
Whether you are starting the process of building a house or thinking about upgrades to protect your current home, here are some useful tips from your BFFs at Co-op Bank.
Before you start building your climate resilient home, make sure that you and your construction team are on the same page regarding structural strength and integrity. Have a discussion to ensure that the design, construction methods and materials are aligned with climate resilient best practices and follow required building codes — there should be no shortcuts and cutting corners. Climate resilient homes prioritise safety and you don’t want to jeopardise that.
Now let’s talk about three climate resilient home features:
Roofs
Hurricane straps are an integral feature of the Caribbean climate resilient home. These crucial connectors reduce the risk of roof uplift during a hurricane and hold the building’s structure together.
Windows and Doors
Windows and glass doors, if not already impact resistant, can be further protected by hurricane shutters and protective panels. Pro tip: install shutters that you can operate without needing to hire a special crew.
Drainage
A climate resilient drainage system safely channels water away from the foundation of your house. It starts with site grading, ensuring that the land slopes downward away from the building. This prevents surface water from pooling around the foundation of your house. Then, there should be adequate drains around the property to maintain the flow of water away from the house. Roof downspouts or drainpipes should channel rainwater into storage tanks or directly into the drains. Additional methods include landscaping that swaps concrete or asphalt surfaces for gravel or permeable pavers and rain gardens with water-tolerant vegetation to capture, filter and absorb excess rainwater.
It is important to note that just incorporating these climate resilient features is not enough. There still needs to be regular maintenance and checks throughout the year, not just when a storm warning is announced.
Check your roof regularly for rust and loose roofing sheets and shingles or, if you have a concrete roof, check for cracks, leaks or other compromised areas and address quickly. Similarly, check your roof gutters and drainpipes for leaks and weak areas and that your hurricane shutters are functioning properly. Remove the debris from the gutters and drainpipes regularly, as well as the drains in and around your property. These are just a few ways that you can achieve a safer, more climate resilient home. But did you know that Co-op Bank can also help? With our Building for the Future loan, you can access affordable financing and enjoy discounts on loan fees and special benefits when you choose climate-resilient solutions. Visit https://www.grenadaco-opbank.com/bff/ to learn more.
