Hurricane Security – Bracing Your House from Potential Disaster
Flooding, structural destruction and water damage are the common incidents for a post-hurricane environment. Yet, there are a few important approaches you can take in order to avoid these incidents and any excessive storm damage restorations. It's important to do what you can to defend your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors secure. Listed below are approaches to keep in mind when securing your residence against Mother Nature.Hurricane Planning Checklist
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to check for. Most of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren't installed to defend against hurricane conditions, so it's important to buy a support kit. By supporting your garage door, you'll have defense against the winds that generate a positive push in your garage. This is significant because the winds that develop outside will create a negative pull over your garage. When this happens, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of stress on your roof and garage. Supporting your garage door with braces is an efficient way to avoid major damage. But, if it's too late to install the garage door kit, you can use your vehicle to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Busted windows don't only allow the rain to get into your house, but the wind that blows in can increase the pressure under your roof, which can lead to excessive damage to your structure. Storm shutters are an efficient way to secure your residence during a hurricane. When a hurricane is at hand, make sure the latches are functioning properly and you may want to consider installing additional locks for added measure. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don't have storm shutters, but it's crucial to note that placing masking tape on your windows won't do anything to defend your house from a hurricane. When your windows are secure, check your doors next. Make sure they're strong and that the deadbolts are in working order.
- Roof – Examining your roof is crucial before a hurricane passes through your area, and it can defend against property damage and provide you peace-of-mind. A good beginning point is to locate damaged shingles and use some roofing cement to repair them. Afterward, check to see if there are unprotected gaps where any wiring is entering in your house and seal them off. This can prevent water from coming into your residence. You might want to consider getting hurricane straps to verify your roof is secure too. Additionally, you'll want to unclog your gutters so there's appropriate irrigation for the strong rains.
- Your Property – It's important to clear your property of any loose items like garden accessories, patio furniture and children's toys. If it can be lifted from a heavy gust of wind, then relocate it to a secure area so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Additionally, inspect your trees for any dead or loose branches and trim them if they need it.
- Car – When you're concerned about securing your property from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your car. Make sure that you have a full tank of gas, that your tires are in good condition, the windows are sealed and that your windshield wipers are good. If you park your vehicle on the street, you'll want to check that you're not parked under any trees or in a location that is prone to floods.
