A Homeowners Approach to Defending a House from a Hurricane
Water damage, flooding and structural destruction are the typical incidents for a post-hurricane environment. Nevertheless, there are some essential steps you can take in order to avoid these scenarios and any excessive storm damage restorations. It's imperative to do what you can to protect your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors safe. Listed below are approaches to keep in mind while safeguarding your residence against the elements.Fundamental Steps in Hurricane Precautions
- Garage Door – If your residence has a garage, this might be one of the first things to take care of. Strong winds can pass through the typical residential garage door because they're not built with the needed support. What can take place is the wind will produce a positive push inside your garage, and the wind outside of it causes a negative pull. When this takes place, your garage and roof will endure a lot of pressure because of this push-pull situation. To avoid an excessive storm damage restoration, you can buy braces that will help your garage door hold off hurricane conditions. This is the most reliable method, but if time isn't on your side, then you can use your automobile to help support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Broken windows don't only allow the rain to get into your home, but the wind that comes through can put a lot of pressure under your roof, which can lead to excessive damage to your structure. Storm shutters are a great way to secure your residence during a hurricane. When a storm is imminent, make sure the latches on your shutters are working correctly and you may want to consider installing additional locks for added security. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don't have shutters, but it's vital to note that putting masking tape on your windows won't do anything to protect your home from a hurricane. When your windows are protected, check your doors next. Verify that they're strong and that the deadbolts are functioning right.
- Roof – Your roof is a primary defense against Mother Nature, and that's why it's important to make sure it's prepared for a hurricane. Locate any out of place shingles and mend them with reliable roofing material like roofing cement. You'll also want irrigation for the strong 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 exposed gaps to stop water damage from occurring. At last, figure out whether it's required to secure your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – It's necessary to clear your lawn of any loose items such as garden accessories, patio furniture and children's toys. If the item can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then clear it out and put it in a secure location so it doesn't cause damage to your home and others' around you. Furthermore, examine your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead branches and trim them if necessary.
- Car – When you're concerned about safeguarding your residence from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your vehicle. Ensure that you have a full tank of gas, that your tires aren't worn down, the windows are sealed and that your windshield wipers are good. If you have to park on the street, you'll want to make sure that you're not parked under trees or in an area that is vulnerable to floods.
