A Homeowners Guide to Defending a Home from a Hurricane
Damages caused by hurricanes can be destructive for your home. The high winds can break windows, tear apart roofs and knock over trees. Your home is also susceptible to water damage and flooding from downpours. Yet, there are preventative measures you can take to safeguard your house from heavy storms. Follow the guidelines below to ensure you, your family and your home is safeguarded from a hurricane and to prevent extreme storm damage restoration.Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Approaches
- Garage Door – To avoid any extreme storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to check for. A lot of the garage doors on the market aren't designed to fight hurricane conditions, so it's essential to purchase a brace kit. Through supporting your garage door, you'll prevent the winds that create a positive push in your space. This is significant because the winds outside will cause a negative pull above your garage. When this happens, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your garage and roof. Buying a support kit for your garage door is the most efficient method to prevent excessive damage. But, if it's too late to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – A common incidence that's correlated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your doors and windows aren't secure this will allow the wind and rain to get into your house. Before the storm reaches your location, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches need to be strong and you'll also want to install locks on them. If you don't have shutters for your windows, then you can cover them up. A common misconception with window preparation is that you can use masking tape on the window; however, this doesn't secure it at all. Also, ensure your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are functioning properly. You can also brace your doors for added measure.
- Roof – A roof checkup is important, and you should locate for any out of place shingles and other vulnerable spots. Get some roof cement to mend any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to make sure your roof is secure to your house. Also, you'll want to seal any spots where wires come into your house to prevent any water damage from occurring. While you're inspecting your roof, check to see if your gutters are congested. Proper irrigation is crucial for directing water away from your home during the hurricane.
- Your Property – The land outside of your property can be a primary hazard when a hurricane comes through. Items that aren't weighed down or fastened to the ground could be picked from the high wind and be thrown into your residence and your neighbor's as well. Make sure to move any BBQs, garden accessories, children's toys and patio furniture to a location safe from the storm. Another thing you'll want to do is remove any dangling or dead limbs from your shrubs and trees.
- Car – Your vehicle can easily be forgotten when you're preparing your home for a storm. But it's just as crucial to get your vehicle ready as well, so check that you have: a full tank of gas, working windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed properly. Also, be attentive of where you park, especially if you rely on street parking. Check that your car isn't beneath any trees or in a location that's vulnerable to flooding.
