How to Protect Your Home from a Hurricane – Avoid Storm Damage
Natural disasters can occur without a moment's notice, but hurricanes can at least be discovered prior to hitting your area. When it's hurricane season, it's important to do some planning. Because your house is one of your biggest investments, it's a good idea to do what you can to prevent the perils that hurricanes can bring to your house and to prevent any storm damage repair. There are many things to check up on when safeguarding your home for the ensuing storm. To secure your home from a hurricane, use the approaches listed below.Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Is Scheduled
- Garage Door – Believe it or not, your garage is really one of the most susceptible places when it comes to extreme storms such as hurricanes. The explanation: most garage doors are not supported and heavy winds can get into the garage. When this happens, you get a positive push inside the garage, and as the winds are swirling above your structure, this creates a negative pull. With the push-pull combo, this can put a lot of stress on your roof and ultimately tear it off. To avoid this from taking place, the best method is to purchase a kit that braces your garage door. Although, if it's too late to put in a garage door kit, then you can utilize your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most common hardships tied to hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't protected this will allow the wind and rain to move in your house. When a hurricane is approaching, make sure your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches on your shutters should be stable and it may be necessary to install locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also an efficient approach if you don't have storm shutters. A typical misconception with window preparation is that you can place masking tape on the window; but this won't secure it at all. Also, ensure your doors are sturdy and that the deadbolts are functioning correctly. You can also install braces on your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Your roof is your primary protector against the elements, and that's why it's vital to make sure it's ready for a hurricane. Search for any damaged shingles and mend them with reliable roofing material, such as roofing cement. You'll also want good irrigation for the heavy 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 house and seal off any unprotected gaps to prevent water damage from occurring. Lastly, judge whether it's critical to fasten your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – Your lawn can be a number one threat 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 thrown into your house and your neighbor's too. Walk around your property and relocate any patio furniture, BBQs, garden accessories and children's toys to a place out of harm's way. One other thing you need to do is trim back any dangling or dead branches from your shrubs and trees.
- Car – Your vehicle can easily be forgotten when you're prepping your residence for a storm. But it's just as critical to get your vehicle ready too, so check that you have: your gas tank filled, good windshield wipers, good tires and your windows sealed properly. Also, be conscious of where you park your vehicle, especially if you rely on street parking. Check that your vehicle isn't beneath any trees or in a location that's susceptible to flooding.
