How to Protect Your House from a Hurricane – Avoid Storm Damage
Damages produced from hurricanes can be devastating for your residence. The huge gusts of winds can smash windows, tear apart roofs and knock over trees. Your residence is also prone to water damage from the heavy rains. Still, there are preventative measures you can take to safeguard your home from strong weather conditions. Follow the guidelines below to ensure you, your family and your property is safeguarded from a hurricane and to prevent excessive storm damage repairs.Things to Plan When a Hurricane Approaches
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage restorations, your garage door should be one of the first things to take care. Most of the garage doors on the market aren't installed to fight hurricane conditions, so it's critical to purchase a support kit. By supporting your garage door, you'll prevent the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is important because the winds 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 garage and roof. Getting a support kit for your garage door is the most effective method to prevent major damage. However, if it's too late to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the more common impairments tied to hurricanes, and when your doors and windows aren't safeguarded this will allow the wind and rain to get into your home. When a hurricane is imminent, verify that your shutters are durable and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters need to be strong and you'll also want to put additional locks on them. If you don't have storm shutters for your windows, then you can cover them up with some OSB. A typical misconception with window prep is that you can tape up the window; however, this doesn't help at all. Additionally, ensure your doors are in good condition and that the deadbolts are working right. You can also install braces on your doors for extra defense.
- Roof – Conducting a quick examination of your roof before a hurricane hits your location can save you from excessive property damage. One of the first things you'll want to look for is loose shingles and apply some roofing cement to fix them. Afterward, look for any threatening gaps where any wiring is entering in your home and seal them off. Small gaps might not seem like a problem, but sealing them off can block water from getting into your property. You might want to think about obtaining hurricane straps to make sure your roof is secure as well. Another thing to do is clear out your gutters so there's good irrigation for the strong rains.
- Your Property – Take a walk around your lawn prior to the storm. Your shrubs and trees need consideration and might necessitate some pruning. Any dangling or dead limbs can be threatening in high winds and could cause some damage to your home. This goes for items in your yard like patio furniture too. Relocate any loose items to a secure location before the wind takes them away.
- Car – Aside from your house, it's necessary to take preventative measures with your car. Don't park your vehicle under any trees or in an area that is prone to flooding. If you park on the street, you should really be watchful of where you park during a hurricane. Additionally, prepare your vehicle, such as: making sure your tank is full, your windshield wipers are working, your tires have good tread and that your windows are sealed properly.
