{"id":72776,"date":"2022-06-27T10:34:53","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T17:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=72776"},"modified":"2022-08-24T15:42:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T22:42:42","slug":"how-to-prepare-your-home-for-drought","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-drought\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare Your Home for Drought"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As climate change worsens, extreme weather is becoming increasingly common. Droughts are a poignant example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drought.gov\/current-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">growing in frequency and severity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in the U.S. Many homeowners are seeing the effects of drought through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/06\/01\/southern-california-water-restrictions-start-today-amid-drought.html#:~:text=The%20conservation%20rules%2C%20among%20the,a%20week%20in%20many%20jurisdictions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water use restrictions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and mandatory cutbacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you live in a drought-prone area, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/11203\/CA\/Los-Angeles\/apartments-for-rent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Los Angeles, CA,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/14240\/AZ\/Phoenix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phoenix, AZ,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019ll want to take steps to lower your water usage. To help you get started, we\u2019ve gathered information to help you assess your water needs and develop a plan for conserving your water supply. Keep reading to learn how to take the proper precautions and prepare your home for drought. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-76778 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"prepare-for-drought-3\" width=\"844\" height=\"633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-840x630.jpg 840w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/md-hasanuzzaman-himel-mz278SNa2ek-unsplash-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where do droughts occur?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actual drought conditions vary from region to region. Different areas have different weather patterns \u2013 some are naturally wetter and some are drier.\u00a0 For example, six rainless days on the tropical island of Bali could be considered a drought for that area. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/county\/222\/AZ\/Navajo-County\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navajo County, AZ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, on the other hand, spends most of the year without significant precipitation, so it takes a lot of rainless days to classify the area as in a drought.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.noaa.gov\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with other government agencies, tracks precipitation throughout the country. When an area consistently receives less precipitation, the government classifies it as a drought.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tips: keep your property-type in mind during a drought<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDroughts can affect commercial properties differently than residential ones,\u201d says the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/patriotsoftwashnc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patriot Softwash<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cSidewalks and parking lots can become slick without proper pressure washing care, so make sure to preemptively care for your commercial property.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPressure washing is a valuable tool to keep your home or office looking great,\u201d notes the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pepperspressurewashing.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peppers Pressure Washing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cScheduling regular pressure washing appointments before a drought is the best way to ensure you aren\u2019t stuck with grime during a drought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps to prepare your home for drought\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you live in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/climate-change-housing-impact\/drought-risk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">drought-prone area<\/a>, you should implement some of the following measures to protect you and your community.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Start with general home maintenance<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before starting on any expensive projects, ensure your home is up to date and you aren\u2019t unnecessarily wasting water or energy. &#8220;When you\u2019re preparing for a drought, the first place to start is with general home maintenance,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/breeganjane.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breegan Jane<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an LA-based designer. \u201cEnsure your home is in good condition by checking for potential leaks in faucets, water heaters, dishwashers, and any other places where leaks are common. This is particularly important if it\u2019s an area you haven\u2019t checked in a while.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check your roof and shingles for holes and disrepair as well \u2013 these can be huge energy wasters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Check and repair any water leaks in your home\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaky pipes can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. Not only does this waste water, but it also increases your water bill. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best ways to prepare your home for drought is to find and prevent any water leaks,\u201d says Rachel Bowers from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/californiaplumbingsd.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California Plumbing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cTo see if your home has a leak, turn off your fixtures and look closely at your water meter. W<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ait thirty minutes without using any water, and check back to see if there\u2019s a difference. If there is, you likely have a leak.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tips: inspect your gutters and hose spigot<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Droughts are an excellent time to clean your gutters. If you allow the dirt, debris, and algae to sit unaddressed, it\u2019s likely to attract more dirt and grime. As the dirt and debris build up, they can become a breeding ground for pests. Use this opportunity to wash and scrape out the insides of your gutters so that they\u2019re prepared for rain when it does come. &#8211; The team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gutterboyzsc.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gutter Boyz<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outdoor faucets are one of the most common sources of leaks for homeowners that often go unnoticed. In fact, a dripping faucet wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year on average. Conventional brass spigots have a flawed sealing mechanism, which can result in leaks and drips. Unlike standard hose bibs, the Aquor House Hydrant uses water pressure itself to keep the valve closed, guaranteeing a leak-free outlet. &#8211; Elizabeth Schneider from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aquorwatersystems.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquor Water Systems<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Install water-efficient appliances\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older appliances often use more water than is needed. By upgrading certain appliances in your home, you can see a decrease in water use and a lower water bill. Water-efficient versions of your appliances, like low-flow showerheads, low-volume toilets, and high-efficiency dishwashers, will make all the difference in conserving water and preparing for a drought. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Get into the habit of not wasting water\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The simplest thing you can do to avoid wasting water is to be conscious of your actions. When washing dishes, brushing your teeth, and shaving, for example, be mindful of the faucet. Additionally, you can reuse water that would otherwise go to waste. One way to do this is to place a bucket in the shower to collect the water while you wait for it to heat up. You can use this water for your plants or to clean the exterior areas of your home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: use efficient window cleaning methods<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During a drought, hire a window cleaning company that uses efficient methods. Window cleaning companies use water-fed poles with deionized water, leaving glass surfaces negatively charged, keeping them cleaner for longer. &#8211; Mike Maharas from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/washmasterscleaning.com\/%5C\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash Masters Cleaning<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-76781 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"prepare-for-drought-4\" width=\"830\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nicolas-comte-Y10FXNqFdvk-unsplash-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Harvest rainwater<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rainfall brings thousands of gallons of water to your property yearly, especially if you live in a rainy climate like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16163\/WA\/Seattle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle, WA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.ca\/bc\/vancouver\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vancouver, BC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Take advantage of this by harvesting some of it in a rainwater barrel. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou can connectrel=&#8221;nofollow&#8221; these units to your downspout professionally, but are also DIY-friendly,\u201d says Ken Wilson, owner of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thegutterboys.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gutter Boys<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cMost residential rain barrels range in size from 15-80 gallons, which is plenty of space to hydrate plants and trees around your landscape. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a rain barrel will also help you reduce your water bill. To help collect the water into rain barrels, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cremove your downspout drain pipes and replace them with rain chains,\u201d says the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sierravistawindowandguttercleaning.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sierra Vista Maintenance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cThis will allow you to use the water for whatever you need.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can divert rainwater through gutters and downspouts into barrels for later use. During severe drought conditions, you can even filter gutter-channeled rainwater for drinking. &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nedstevens.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Check your roofing and install rainwater diverters<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the last thing on anyone\u2019s mind during a drought is the state of your roof, it\u2019s the perfect time to check it out. \u201cYou can best see long-term sun damage during periods of dry weather, &#8221; says the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/newbeginningsconstructioninc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Beginnings Construction, Inc.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cHave your roof inspected during the dry spell to ensure that it\u2019s ready for whatever weather comes next.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your roof also receives a lot of uncollected rainfall, notes the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.donegutter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Done Gutter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cThe average 3000 sq. ft. roof sees more than 1800 gallons of water per single inch of rainfall. With only basic tools, you can install low-cost rainwater diverters onto your downspouts to automatically send this water to your rain barrels or other storage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: collect rainwater during a severe drought<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can divert rainwater through gutters and downspouts into barrels for later use. During severe drought conditions, you can even filter gutter-channeled rainwater for drinking. &#8211; The team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nedstevens.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-76780 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"prepare-for-drought-1\" width=\"833\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nate-foong-rFzbC0hNSS4-unsplash-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Plant native drought-tolerant plants in your garden\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try planting native, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/ways-to-conserve-water-outdoors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drought-tolerant vegetation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These plants thrive in drier climates, so you won\u2019t need to water them as frequently as other plants or flowers. \u201cOnly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water your garden during the evening or early morning to prevent unnecessary evaporation and burn spots,\u201d says Autumn Fahlsing from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/granulawnofdallas.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Granulawn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cBe sure to use mulch to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: native plants are key\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best ways to combat drought and conserve water is to plant native vegetation. They flourish in a drier environment and use less water than other non-native plants and trees. Also, there is a wide variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/10-best-drought-tolerant-plants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">drought-tolerant plants<\/a> to choose from other than just cacti and succulents. &#8211; Deborah Munoz-Chacon, Arborist with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sonoran-oasis.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener external noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonoran Oasis Landscaping<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Implement smart irrigation to prepare your home for drought<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A great way to monitor the watering of your lawn and plants is to implement smart irrigation. You can do this one of two ways: drip-irrigate with a hose with small holes and move it around the yard; or, if you have a sprinkler system, install a smart controller that monitors moisture in the soil and turns on sprinklers as needed. This will allow you to conserve water more efficiently if a drought occurs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installing drought-resistant grass can also be a good option. Valerie Smith from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sodsolutions.com\/sod-university\/\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sod Solutions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests mowing your hardy grass less often. \u201cPeople often mow their lawns short to avoid mowing as often \u2013 this isn\u2019t always a good idea. In general, taller grass has deeper roots. These roots absorb more water from deeper layers of soil so that the grass can continue growing during periods of drought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: try artificial grass<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.artificialturfsupply.com\/landscape-turf-solutions.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drought-resistant turf landscaping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a perfect way to reduce water usage without sacrificing an aesthetically pleasing yard. Landscaping with artificial turf for water conservation is not only affordable up front and can save you money every month, but it&#8217;s also great for a drought-prone environment. &#8211; David Barbera from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.artificialturfsupply.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial Turf Supply<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/climate-change-housing-impact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate change droughts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are becoming more and more common so it\u2019s vital to be prepared, especially if you live in an area prone to drought.\u00a0 If drought does occur be sure to observe your<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> state and local restrictions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on water use so that you are up to date on any new rules or regulations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Droughts are becoming increasingly common as climate change develops. Learn how to prepare your home for drought with these 6 expert-backed steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":76777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34337,10756],"tags":[1121,13673,4267,3849,3362],"coauthors":[34342],"class_list":["post-72776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate-housing","category-featured-post","tag-diy-projects","tag-environmental","tag-home-maintenance-improvement","tag-local","tag-safety"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Prepare Your Home for Drought | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you live in an area where the risk for drought is high, follow these 7 expert-backed steps to prepare your home for drought.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-drought\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Prepare Your Home for Drought\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you live in an area where the risk for drought is high, follow these 7 expert-backed steps to prepare your home for drought.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-drought\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; 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