Adapt the home to its service life
Future climate, flood and wildfire
Susceptibility maps and future climate values support screening and resilient design. They are neither property forecasts nor regulatory maps.
Rain, runoff and flooding
- positive grading around foundations
- gutters and downspouts directed away
- backwater valve and sump as context warrants
- water-tolerant materials in vulnerable areas
- elevate essential documents and equipment
Extreme heat
- exterior shading
- solar control at glazing
- properly sized heat pump or cooling
- night ventilation when conditions allow
- cool refuge room and outage plan
Cold, freeze and winter outage
- air sealing
- pipe freeze protection
- code-compliant backup heat
- temperature and leak detection
- long-outage plan
Wind and storms
- maintain roof and flashings
- assess risky trees and branches
- secure outdoor objects
- functional drainage
- current insurance records
Wildfire and vegetation-building interface
- reduce combustible material directly against the building
- keep gutters, roof and decks clean
- review vents, soffits and openings
- move firewood and fuels away
- maintain access, visible address and evacuation plan
Official tools to consult
For structural or regulatory design decisions, use the values and maps required by the authority and responsible professional.