Getting Your House Ready for a Hurricane - Storm Damage Prevention
Natural disasters can develop at any time, but hurricanes can at least be discovered before they hit your location. When it's hurricane season, it's necessary to do some preparation. Since your house is one of your biggest expenses, it's a good idea to do what you can to avoid the perils that hurricanes can bring to your home and to prevent any storm damage restoration. There are many things to check up on when prepping your residence for the ensuing storm. To protect your residence from a hurricane, follow the steps below.Fundamental Steps in Hurricane Precautions
- Garage Door – To prevent any major storm damage restorations, your garage door should be one of the primary things to take care. Most of the garage doors on the market aren't installed to defend against hurricane conditions, so it's critical to buy a support kit. Through bracing your garage door, you'll block the winds that cause a positive push in your garage. This is integral because the winds that develop outside will create a negative pull over your garage. When this occurs, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your garage and roof. Supporting your garage door with braces is an effective method to avoid major damage. However, if don't have the time to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Windows and doors are another entrance for a hurricane to cause chaos. Damaged windows will allow wind and rain to move through your home, and this can cause water damage problems. When a hurricane is imminent, make sure you lock and secure your windows. If you have storm shutters installed, ensure they are closed and locked, but if you don't have storm shutters, you can board up your windows to keep possible destruction out of your house. Additionally, remember that using masking tape on your windows won't do anything to secure them. As for your doors, lock the deadbolts or any other locks to ensure they don't pop open during strong wind gusts.
- Roof – A roof inspection is important, and you should locate for any out of place shingles and other vulnerable spots. You can use roof cement to secure any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to ensure your roof is fastened to your home. Additionally, you'll want to seal any areas where wires come into your house to avoid any water damage from occurring. While you're checking out your roof, check to see if your gutters are cleaned out. You want to ensure you have proper irrigation for the heavy rains that happen during a hurricane.
- Your Property – Your yard can be a primary hazard when a hurricane comes through. Items that aren't weighed down or fastened to the ground could be lifted from the extreme wind and be hurled into your house and your neighbor's as well. Make sure to move any children's toys, patio furniture, BBQs and garden accessories to a location out of harm's way. Another thing you need to do is remove any loose or dead branches from your shrubs and trees.
- Car – When you're caught up in safeguarding your property from a hurricane, it's understandable that you forget about your car. Make sure that you have a full tank of gas, that your tires are in good condition, the windows are up and that your windshield wipers are working. If you park your car on the street, you'll want to check that you're not parked under trees or in an area that is prone to floods.
