In recent years, existing homes throughout the United States have reported weather-related damage in record numbers.

In fact, the number of insured catastrophes has doubled since 1990. The direct line of defense against severe weather is your home's exterior features. Make sure you have good caulking and weather stripping not only around windows and doors, but also around heating/cooling ducts, flashing of vents and pipes, and behind electrical outlets, as well as where different materials meet, like your chimney and siding.

Available now to homeowners are new innovations such as impact-resistant glass windows, protective film for existing windows, slide bolts made to reinforce doors at the top and bottom from wind toppling, and waterproofing membranes which, when faced with brick or stone, can prevent flood waters from entering a home at the base.

If disaster does strike your home or businesss and you need remediation from water, mold, fire or smoke, call on the professionals at Paradise Disaster Restoration.

The Paradise crew was sent on assignment by an insurance company to install a vinyl tarp on a residence because the roof was leaking from heavy rains. When they arrived they found that the home owner was distraught and confused. Once she realized that the insurance company had indeed sent them to help, she was apologetic and appreciative. She had recently lost her husband and life was difficult.

Paradise covered the roof and set up drying equipment inside the house to stop the water damage. The entire contents of two rooms were then wrapped and packed into boxes so restoration work could go on. After a new roof was installed, wall paneling was removed and replaced with new drywall. All the walls and ceilings were repainted and carpeting replaced.

On that first day the home owner thought the roof was going to fall down and she was not sure about trusting others to take care of it. As the crew continued their work, she accepted them more each day. In the end she was very pleased with the outcome of the work and the respect shown by the crew for herself and her home. The crew came away feeling really good about helping her out in this time of need.

A particular chandelier was very important to her because it was the first light fixture her parents had installed when they first got electricity several decades ago. It had to be removed and put back up after the repair work was completed. She thanked the crew for the extra care they took in handling it.