Extreme Weather Hits Home : Protecting Your Buildings from Climate Change

by Banta, John

• ISBN13: 9780865715936
• ISBN10: 0865715939
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-11-01
• Publisher: New Society Pub

Summary

Although alarming images of melting glaciers, dying coral reefs and catastrophic hurricanes have become familiar, the personal effects of climate change are still somewhat vague to most people. Not all extreme weather events are violent, and climate change can result in subtle damage that is just as devastating. As global warming continues, nearly 50 percent of North America has a potential for structural damage from shifting moisture in expansive clay soils; a condition that is already costing billions of dollars each year. As well, climate models predict that northern communities are going to become much more humid at certain times of the year, putting buildings in those areas at risk. As the climate changes, and moisture levels adjust, there are a number of proactive steps that can be taken to prevent or lessen expensive repairs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Foreword	p. xiii
Preface	p. xvii
Introduction	p. 1
Climate Change and Your Home: An Overview	p. 9
Why Good Buildings Go Bad	p. 11
How Homes are Damaged by Climate Change	p. 25
The Effects of Changing Climate	p. 37
Wind Storms	p. 39
Tornados	p. 49
Hurricanes	p. 55
Lightning	p. 63
Hail	p. 71
Flooding	p. 75
Rising Temperatures	p. 89
Drought and Desertification	p. 93
Heat Waves	p. 99
Fires	p. 103
Expansive Soils	p. 107
Melting Permafrost	p. 119
Rising Sea Level	p. 123
Trapped Moisture	p. 129
Freezing	p. 141
Ice Damming	p. 149
Frozen Plumbing	p. 155
Earthquakes	p. 161
Building for Resiliency	p. 163
The Building Site	p. 165
The Foundation	p. 169
The Walls	p. 179
The Roof	p. 191
Climate Change, Risk and Insurance	p. 195
Insurance, Financial Impacts and Assistance	p. 197
Conclusions	p. 207
References	p. 211
Resources and Essential Reading	p. 219
Index	p. 223
About the Author	p. 235
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