Low-cost retrofits

CAL FIRE has created a list of 12 "low-cost retrofits" you can do to your home to decrease its vulnerability to fire. In addition to protecting your home, these upgrades can also help satisfy homeowners insurance requirements. While the costs can vary, every step you take makes your home safer from wildfires: 1. When it is time to replace your roof, replace it with a Class A fire-rated roof. 2. Block any spaces between your roof covering and sheathing with noncombustible materials (bird stops). 3. Install a noncombustible gutter cover on gutters to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris. 4. Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a noncombustible corrosion-resistant metal mesh screen (spark arrestor) with 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch openings. 5. Install ember and flame-resistant vents. Consult your local building official and hire a licensed contractor for this project, as these modifications may reduce airflow. 6. Caulk and plug gaps greater than 1/8-inch around exposed rafters and blocking to prevent ember intrusion into the attic or other enclosed spaces. 7. Inspect exterior siding for dry rot, gaps, cracks and warping. Caulk or plug gaps greater than 1/8-inch in siding and replace any damaged boards, including those with dry rot. 8. Install weather stripping to gaps greater than 1/8-inch between garage doors and door frames to prevent ember intrusion. The weather stripping must be compliant with UL Standard 10C. 9. When it's time to replace your windows, replace them with multi-paned windows that have at least one pane of tempered glass. 10. When it's time to replace your siding or deck, use compliant noncombustible, ignition-resistant or other OSFM Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products. 11. Cover openings to operable skylights with a noncombustible metal mesh screen with openings in the screen not to exceed 1/8 inch. 12. Install a minimum 6-inch metal flashing, applied vertically on the exterior of the wall at the deck-to-wall intersection to protect the combustible siding material. If you have any questions about home hardening, defensible space or Firewise, contact your Firewise Resident Leader, or call Dory Cox at 530-401-1750.