A Homeowners Guide to Securing a Home from a Hurricane
Water damage, flooding and ruined structures are the common scenarios after a hurricane hits. Yet, there are a few essential precautions you can take in order to avoid these incidents and any excessive storm damage restorations. It's important to do what you can to protect your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors secure. Below is a list of methods to keep in mind when securing your residence against the elements.Hurricane Preparation Checklist
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the first things to check for. Most of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren't installed to defend against hurricane conditions, so it's essential to purchase a brace kit. Through supporting your garage door, you'll have defense against the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is important since the winds that develop outside will cause a negative pull over your garage. When this occurs, you'll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of stress on your roof and garage. Supporting your garage door with braces is an efficient way to avoid excessive damage. However, if it's too late to install braces, you can use your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most common impairments tied to hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't secure this will allow the wind and rain to move in your house. When a hurricane is approaching, make sure your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches need to be secure and it may be necessary to install locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also a great idea if you don't have storm shutters. A typical fallacy with window prep is that you can use masking tape on the window; but this doesn't help at all. Additionally, make sure your doors are sturdy and that the deadbolts are functioning right. You can also install braces on your doors for extra security.
- Roof – Your roof acts as your number one protector against the elements, and that's why it's important to make sure it's prepared for a hurricane. Locate any out of place shingles and fix them with reliable roofing material, such as roofing cement. You'll also want irrigation for the pouring rains, so clear out your gutters so the water doesn't accumulate on your roof. You can then locate any wires that are entering into your home and seal off any unprotected gaps to prevent water damage from occurring. Finally, check whether it's necessary to secure your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – Walking around your lawn is another important step you should take. Your shrubs and trees need attention and might require some pruning. Any dangling or dead limbs can be hazardous in extreme winds and could cause some damage to your home. This also consists of items on your lawn like patio furniture too. Relocate any loose items to a secure place before the wind takes them away.
- Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you're prepping your house for a hurricane. But it's important to get your car ready too, so ensure you have: a full tank of gas, good windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed properly. Additionally, be mindful of where you park your car, especially if you park on the street. Make sure your car isn't under any trees or in an area that's prone to flooding.