A Homeowners Approach to Defending a House from a Hurricane
Natural disasters can occur at any time, but hurricanes can at least be identified before they hit your area. When it's hurricane season, it's crucial to do some preparation. Because your home is one of your biggest investments, it's a smart idea to do what you can to avoid the damages that hurricanes can bring to your home and to avoid any storm damage restoration. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when preparing your property for the big storm. To protect your property from a hurricane, follow the steps below.Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Is Scheduled
- Garage Door – If you have a garage, this may be one of the first things to take care of. Typically, garage doors don't have the support to brace high winds. What can happen is the wind will create a positive push in your garage, and the wind outside of the structure causes a negative pull. When this occurs, your roof and garage will sustain a lot of pressure because of this tug-of-war situation. To prevent a major storm damage restoration, you can buy braces that will help your garage door resist hurricane conditions. This is the most effective step, but if you don't have the time to install a kit, then you can use your car to help support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Busted windows don't only allow the rain to get into your home, but the wind that blows through can put a lot of pressure under your roof, which can lead to significant structural damage. Storm shutters are an efficient approach to protect your property during a hurricane. When a hurricane is looming, ensure the latches are functioning correctly and you may want to think about adding additional locks for added measure. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don't have shutters, but it's critical to note that placing masking tape on your windows won't do anything in a heavy storm. After your windows are secure, move to your doors next. Make sure they're stable and that the deadbolts are functioning right.
- Roof – Administering a quick analysis of your roof prior to a hurricane can save you from a lot of property damage. The primary thing you'll want to check for is damaged shingles and use some roofing cement to fix them. Next, look for any exposed gaps where any wiring is coming into your home and seal them off. Small gaps may not seem like a problem, but sealing them off can prevent water from entering your property. You might want to think about obtaining hurricane straps to confirm your roof is fastened too. Additionally, you'll want to clear out your gutters so there's proper irrigation for the heavy rains.
- Your Property – It's significant to clear your yard of any loose items such as patio furniture, children's toys and other miscellaneous garden items. If it can be lifted from a heavy gust of wind, then clear it out and put it in a safe area so it doesn't cause damage to your home and others' around you. Additionally, examine your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead branches and trim them if they need it.
- Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you're securing your home for a hurricane. But it's just as crucial to get your car ready too, so check that you have: your gas tank filled, good windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed. Furthermore, be cognizant of where you park, especially if you rely on street parking. Check that your vehicle isn't under any trees or in an area that's prone to flooding.