A Homeowners Guide to Defending a House from a Hurricane
Water damage, flooding and ruined structures are the usual incidents for a post-hurricane environment. Yet, there are a few important approaches you can take in order to prevent these scenarios and any major storm damage restorations. It's important to do anything you can to secure your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors protected. Below is a list of things to keep in mind while preparing your house against the elements.Hurricane Precaution Checklist
- Garage Door – If you have a garage, this should be one of the first things to take care of. Typically, garage doors don't have the support to fight high winds. What can take place is the wind will create a positive push in your garage, and the wind outside of the structure creates a negative pull. When this happens, your garage and roof will undergo a lot of pressure because of this push-pull instance. To defend from an excessive storm damage repair, you can buy braces that will help your garage door fight hurricane conditions. This is the most trustworthy method, but if time isn't on your side, then you can use your vehicle to help brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most frequent impairments tied to hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't secure this will allow the storm to move in your home. When a storm is imminent, make sure your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches on your shutters need to be strong and you'll also want to put additional locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also an effective approach if you don't have storm shutters. One wrong impression that's been taught for window prep is that you can use masking tape on the window; but this won't secure it at all. Additionally, make sure your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are working correctly. You can also install braces on your doors for extra defense.
- Roof – Make sure to inspect your roof for any loose shingles and other vulnerable areas. Get some roof cement to fix any loose shingles, and you should consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is fastened to your home. Additionally, it's a good idea to seal any spots where wires come into your home to avoid any water damage from occurring. While you're checking out your roof, check to see if your gutters are congested. Good irrigation is important for water run-off during the hurricane.
- Your Property – The outside of your property can be a primary threat when a hurricane hits your town. Items that aren't weighed down or fastened to the ground could be picked from the high wind and be launched into your house and your neighbor's too. Make sure to relocate any patio furniture, BBQs, garden accessories and children's toys to a place safe from the storm. One other thing you need to do is remove any loose or dead limbs from your trees and shrubs.
- Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you're protecting your property for a storm. But it's just as critical to get your car ready too, so make sure you have: a full tank of gas, working windshield wipers, good tires and your windows sealed. Also, be conscious of where you park your car, especially if you park on the street. Check that your car isn't under any trees or in a location that's vulnerable to flooding.
