Home Protection Guide: DIY Window Sunlight Blocking and Flood Prevention

Understand home protection need

Protect your home from environmental challenges is essential for maintain comfort and prevent damage. Two common issues homeowners faces are excessive sunlight stream through windows and the threat of flood water enter the house. Luckily, there be several DIY solutions that can efficaciously address both concerns without require professional services or expensive materials.

DIY methods to block sunlight from windows

Window film solutions

Apply window film is one of the nearly cost-effective ways to block sunlight. These thin, adhesive sheets come in various types:

• 
  Reflective films
  
  Bounce sunlight outside from your home while maintain visibility
• 
  Ceramic films
  
  Block heat without darken the room importantly
• 
  Tinted films
  
  Reduce glare and UV radiation while provide privacy

To install window film:

1. Clean the window good with a mixture of mild soap and water
2. Spray the window with a solution of water and a few drops of dish soap
3. Remove the backing from the film and cautiously apply it to the wet window
4. Use a squeegee to remove air bubbles and excess water
5. Trim excess film with a utility knife for a clean finish

Thermal curtains and blackout drapes

Thermal curtains and blackout drapes provide excellent light blocking while besides improve energy efficiency. These window treatments typically feature multiple layers of fabric with insulate properties.

For a DIY approach:

• Purchase blackout fabric from a craft store and sew it onto exist curtains
• Use clip on rings to hang blackout liners behind your current curtains
• Install curtain rods that extend beyond the window frame to prevent light leakage around the edges

For maximum effectiveness, ensure curtains extend several inches beyond the window frame on all sides and hang from ceiling to floor.

Window screens and mesh

Solar screens and mesh solutions can block up to 90 % of the sun’s heat and glare before it reach your windows.

Source: housz.com

To create DIY solar screens:

1. Purchase solar screen mesh material from a hardware store
2. Remove your exist window screens
3. Replace the standard mesh with solar screen material
4. Secure with spline use a spline roller tool
5. Reinstall the modify screens

This solution allow airflow while importantly reduce heat and light penetration.

Reflective insulation and cardboard solutions

For temporary or emergency sunlight block:

• Cut reflective insulation (like rreflect i) to fit your window dimensions
• Secure it with removable mount tape or command strips
• For a budget option, cover cardboard with aluminum foil and place in windows

While not esthetically pleasing, these solutions provide excellent light blocking capabilities when needed.

DIY window awnings

External shading can prevent sunlight from reach your windows:

1. Create simple awnings use canvas, outdoor fabric, or regular corrugate plastic
2. Build a basic frame use PVC pipes or wooden dowels
3. Secure the fabric to the frame and mount above windows
4. Ensure a downward angle to deflect sunlight

Awnings can reduce heat gain through windows by up to 77 % while maintain your view.

DIY methods to keep flood water out of your house

Assess your flood risk

Before implement flood prevention measures, understand your specific risk factors:

• Identify the near vulnerable entry points (doors, windows, foundation cracks )
• Determine the typical water level during flooding in your area
• Consider the terrain around your home and water flow patterns

This assessment will help you’ll focus your efforts on the about critical areas.

DIY sandbag barriers

Sandbags remain one of the near reliable temporary flood barriers:

1. Fill burlap or polypropylene bags with sand or soil (about half to two thirds full )
2. Fold or tie the top of each bag
3. Place bag parallel to the direction of water flow
4. Stagger the bags like bricks, with each layer set backbone center from the previous layer
5. Create a pyramid structure with a wide base for stability

For extended protection, cover the sandbag wall with plastic sheeting and secure it with additional sandbags.

Homemade flood barriers

When sandbags aren’t available, create alternative barriers:

• 
  Garbage bag barriers
  
  Fill heavy-duty garbage bags with soil or sand and stack them
• 
  DIY flood dam
  
  Line up plastic storage bins fill with water or sand
• 
  Plastic sheet barriers
  
  Create a barrier use thick plastic sheeting secure with heavy objects and seal with silicone caulk

These temporary solutions can provide critical protection during emergency situations.

Seal entry points

Water oftentimes enter through small openings around the home:

1. Apply waterproof sealant to foundation cracks and gaps around pipes
2. Install weatherstripping around doors and windows
3. Use expand foam to fill larger gaps in foundations or walls
4. Apply silicone caulk around window frames and door jambs
5. Seal basement windows with plastic sheeting and waterproof tape

Regular inspection and maintenance of these seals is essential for ongoing protection.

DIY door barriers and shields

Doors are common entry points for flood water. Create custom barriers:

• Cut plywood to fit doorways with a few inches of overlap on all sides
• Attach foam weather strip to the edges for a watertight seal
• Secure the barrier with adjustable support brackets
• For add protection, apply plastic sheet over the plywood and secure with waterproof tape

Commercial flood shields can be expensive, but these DIY versions can be as effective for moderate flooding.

Improve drainage around your home

Prevent water accumulation near your foundation is crucial:

1. Creates wales (shallow ditches )to direct water outside from the house
2. Install rain barrels under downspouts to collect roof runoff
3. Extend downspouts at least 10 feet from your foundation
4. Create a rain garden with water love plants to absorb excess moisture
5. Use gravel or river rock to create drainage paths around the property

These landscape modifications can importantly reduce the risk of water reach your foundation.

DIY sump pump backup systems

If you have a sump pump, create a backup system:

• Install a water power backup pump that operate without electricity
• Create a battery backup use a marine deep cycle battery and inverter
• Build a simple alarm system use a float switch and battery power alarm

These systems provide crucial protection during power outages that frequently accompany flooding.

Combining strategies for maximum protection

Create a comprehensive home protection plan

For optimal protection, combine multiple strategies:

• Use window films and exterior shade to block sunlight
• Implement landscape drainage improvements and entry point sealing for flood protection
• Prepare temporary barriers that can be rapidly deployed during flood warnings
• Develop an emergency response plan for both extreme heat and flood scenarios

This layered approach provide redundancy and increase your overall protection.

Seasonal maintenance and preparation

Different seasons require different protection strategies:

1. 
   Spring
   
   Clean gutters and downspouts, check drainage systems, prepare for potential flooding
2. 
   Summer
   
   Install maximum sunlight block solutions, check seals around windows and doors
3. 
   Fall
   
   Clear drainage paths of leaves and debris, inspect and repair any foundation cracks
4. 
   Winter
   
   Prepare flood barriers for spring thaws, adjust window coverings for lower sun angles

Regular maintenance ensure your protection systems remain effective year round.

Cost-effective material alternatives

Budget friendly substitutions can make these projects more accessible:

• Use bubble wrap as a temporary window insulator (apply with water to create adhesion )
• Repurpose old shower curtains as waterproof barriers
• Create thermal curtain liners from move blankets
• Use plastic storage containers fill with water alternatively of sandbags
• Make reflective window coverings from emergency blankets (space blankets )

These alternatives may not be as durable as commercial products but can provide effective temporary protection.

Long term home protection considerations

Evaluate permanent solutions

While DIY methods are excellent for immediate protection, consider long term investments:

• Plant shade trees strategically to course block sunlight
• Install permanent flood vents in foundation walls
• Consider raise electrical systems above potential flood levels
• Explore permeable pave options to improve drainage

These permanent solutions require more initial investment but provide ongoing protection with minimal maintenance.

Create an emergency response kit

Prepare supplies for quick deployment during emergencies:

Source: primalsurvivor.net

1. Store flood barrier materials in a well accessible location
2. Keep window covering materials ready for extreme heat events
3. Maintain basic tools for emergency installations (hammer, screwdriver, utility knife )
4. Include waterproof tape, plastic sheeting, and sealants in your emergency supplies

Have these materials organize and ready can save crucial time during an emergency.

Final thoughts on DIY home protection

Protect your home from sunlight and flood water doesn’t inevitably require expensive professional services. With some planning, basic materials, and weekend work, you can importantly improve your home’s resilience against these common environmental challenges.

Remember that prevention is invariably more cost-effective than repair. The time and money invest in these DIY solutions can save thousands in potential damage costs while maintain a comfortable living environment irrespective of external conditions.

By will implement a combination of these strategies and will maintain them regularly, you will create a more resilient home that can withstand both the harsh summer sun and will threaten floodwaters.