Hurricane Protection – Preparing Your House from Potential Disaster
Water damage, flooding and ruined structures are the typical incidents for a post-hurricane environment. Nevertheless, there are a few essential methods you can take in order to avoid these incidents and any major storm damage restorations. It's crucial 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 approaches to keep in mind while safeguarding your house against the elements.Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Approaches
- Garage Door – To avoid any extreme storm damage restorations, 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 important to purchase a brace kit. By bracing your garage door, you'll have defense against the winds that cause a positive push in your garage. This is crucial because the winds outside will cause a negative pull above your garage. When this happens, you'll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of stress on your garage and roof. Supporting your garage door with braces is the most effective method to avoid excessive damage. However, if don't have the time to install the garage door kit, you can use your vehicle to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Damaged windows don't only allow the rain to get into your home, but the wind that blows in can increase the pressure under your roof, which can lead to significant damage to your structure. Storm shutters are a great approach to secure your house during a hurricane. When a storm is on its way, ensure the latches are working properly and you may want to think about adding additional locks for added defense. You can also board up your windows if you don't have shutters, but it's important to note that putting masking tape on your windows won't do anything to protect your house from a hurricane. When your windows are protected, check your doors next. Make sure they're sturdy and that the deadbolts are in working order.
- Roof – Administering a quick checkup on your roof prior to a hurricane can save you from excessive property damage. The primary thing you'll want to look for is loose shingles and apply some roofing cement to fix them. Next, check to see if there are threatening gaps where any wiring is entering in your house and seal them. Small gaps may not seem like an issue, but sealing them off can prevent water from getting into your house. You might want to think about obtaining hurricane straps to make sure your roof is secure as well. Another thing to do is clean out your gutters so there's good irrigation for the heavy rains.
- Your Property – It's essential to clear your property of any loose items such as garden accessories, patio furniture and children's toys. If it can be picked up from a heavy gust of wind, then clear it out and put it in a safe area so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Additionally, check your trees and shrubbery for any dead or loose limbs and trim them if they need it.
- Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you're prepping your residence for a storm. But it's just as crucial to get your car ready as well, so ensure you have: a full tank of gas, good windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed. Furthermore, be mindful of where you park, especially if you rely on street parking. Make sure your vehicle isn't under any trees or in an area that's vulnerable to flooding.
