A Homeowners Guide to Defending a House from a Hurricane
Natural disasters can develop without a moment's notice, but hurricanes can at least be detected before they hit your location. Hurricane season is a time for preparation. Since your home is one of your most valuable investments, it's a good idea to do what you can to avoid the damages that hurricanes can bring to your property and to prevent any storm damage restoration. There are many things to check up on when preparing your residence for the ensuing storm. To defend your residence from a hurricane, follow the steps below.How to Prepare for a Hurricane
- Garage Door – To prevent any extreme storm damage restorations, your garage door should be one of the first things to check for. Most of the garage doors on the market aren't designed to fight hurricane conditions, so it's critical to purchase a brace kit. Through supporting your garage door, you'll fight against the winds that generate a positive push in your space. This is integral since the winds outside will cause a negative pull over 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 an effective method to avoid excessive 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 hardships tied to hurricanes, and when your doors and windows aren't secure this will allow the wind and rain to get into your home. When a hurricane is imminent, make sure your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches on your shutters need to be stable and it may be necessary to put additional locks on them. You can also board up your windows if you don't have storm shutters. One wrong idea that's passed around for window preparation is that you can place masking tape on the window; but this won't help at all. Also, verify that your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are functioning properly. You can also use braces on your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Inspecting your roof is important before a hurricane passes through your location, and it can defend against property damage and give you peace-of-mind. The primary thing you'll want to look for is loose shingles and use some roofing cement to fix them. Next, look for any threatening gaps where any wiring is entering in your home and seal them off. Small gaps may not seem like a problem, but sealing them off can stop water from entering your residence. You might want to think about obtaining hurricane straps to verify your roof is secure as well. Another thing to do is clear out your gutters so there's suitable irrigation for the strong rains.
- Your Property – Take a walk around your lawn before the storm hits. Your trees and shrubs need some attention and might require some trimming. Any dangling or dead branches can be hazardous in high winds and could cause some damage to your property. This includes items in your yard like patio furniture too. Transport any items that aren't secured to the ground or weighed down to a safe area before the wind can take them.
- Car – Your vehicle can easily be forgotten when you're protecting your property for a hurricane. But it's important to get your vehicle ready too, so make sure you have: a full tank of gas, good windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed properly. Furthermore, be attentive of where you park, especially if you rely on street parking. Make sure your car isn't beneath any trees or in an area that's vulnerable to floods.
