News | advice | area guide

Exploding Trees? 5 Shockers That Can Make a House Catch Fire

The California wildfires are raging on—by last count, wiping out more than 1,000 buildings across 260,000 acres. And even now, these blazes are threatening 25,000 more homes.

So the burning question in our minds is: Is there any way to fireproof a house?

That might sound like a tall order, but building experts say that people can do plenty to put a damper on the risks from wildfire—through renovations, landscaping, and more. In fact, many homeowners might be missing out or making mistakes that could be putting their property and possessions in greater danger than they realize. Here’s a rundown of what to watch out for.

1. Exploding trees

If you have any eucalyptus trees on your property, watch out!

“Many Southern California homes are adjacent to eucalyptus trees, which tend to explode during fire season,” Los Angeles real estate developer Tyler Drew tells realtor.com®. Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable, so when brush fires bake these trees from underneath, they can burst, raining embers onto everything in the area.

And eucalyptus or not, trees near the home are generally bad news.

“Trim back or remove any large trees adjacent to your property if possible,” says Drew.

2. Bushes around your house

“Clear brush away from your home, especially if you live in the hills or mountains,” says Drew. “At least 20 yards of brush clearance is what is recommended by most firefighters.”

“Do not have too many bushes, shrubs, and other vegetation close to the house,” adds Lance Luke, a building expert and member of the National Fire Protection Association. “Replace wood chips and mulch with other materials that do not act as kindling for a fire.”

3. Homes that are made to burn

No huge surprise here, but a house made of wood is a huge pile of kindling when wildfires tear through. Homes made of different materials will fare better in fires.

“That includes brick, cement block, stone, and ceramic tile,” says Drew. “Stucco can work, but the wood beams behind stucco can still catch on fire if the wildfire burns close enough to your home.”

However, “the sad fact of the matter is that no home is totally fireproof,” adds Drew. “You can build your entire house out of stone, and the gas lines will still burst and gut the inside of your home.” So, be prepared for some damage no matter what.

4. A bad roof

“Make sure that the roofing you have is resistant to falling embers and ash,” says Drew. “Tile and composite roofing shingles are a must these days, but some homes still use wooden shingles.”

As added protection, “use the highest fire-rated shingles such as concrete, metal, and asphalt,” says Luke. “And add an extra layer of fire-resistant roof sheathing.”

5. Weak doors and windows

“Windows tend to be weak areas that permit fire in,” says Denise Supplee at SparkRental.com. “Shutters can help block this a bit.” Also consider tempered glass for windows, which can withstand higher heat levels.

Flimsy wooden doors can also let fire in, so use metal doors that can withstand higher temperatures.

How to protect your home

“Make sure that your insurance is up to date and that it covers wildfires,” says Drew. “Many homeowner policies do not, or have riders on them. This is the biggest mistake homeowners make during wildfires, assuming that their policy will cover this disaster.”

But what if a wildfire is beating a quick path toward your front door right now? Experts have advice for this, too.

“If you have time and it’s safe to do so, wet down your house as much as possible before evacuating,” says Drew. “And if you have a pool, make sure the fire department knows in case they need it for their hoses.”

The post Exploding Trees? 5 Shockers That Can Make a House Catch Fire appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Source: Real Estate News and Advice – realtor.com » Real Estate News