Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane - Prevent Storm Damages

Natural disasters can develop without a moment's notice, but hurricanes can at least be revealed before they hit your location. Planning and preparing are the most important things you can do when a hurricane comes around. Since your home is one of your most valuable investments, it's a good idea to do what you can to prevent the damages that hurricanes can bring to your home and to prevent any storm damage restoration. There are lots of things to check up on when prepping your house for a hurricane. To defend your house from a hurricane, follow the approaches listed below.

Essential Steps in Hurricane Precautions

  • Garage Door – Believe it or not, your garage is actually one of the most susceptible spots when it comes to heavy weather conditions such as hurricanes. The explanation: most garage doors are not reinforced and strong winds can get into the area. When this happens, you get a positive push in the garage, and as the winds are churning above it, this creates a negative pull. A push-pull combination is created, and this can place a lot of pressure on your roof and eventually rip it off. To avoid this from happening, the best technique is to purchase a kit that supports your garage door. But if time isn't on your side to install a kit, then you can utilize your automobile to brace your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – Busted windows don't only allow the rain to get into your home, but the wind that comes in can put a lot of pressure under your roof, which can lead to excessive structural damage. Storm shutters are a great approach to protect your house during a hurricane. When a storm is at hand, ensure the latches are functioning properly and you may want to consider installing additional locks for added defense. You can also board up your windows if you don't have storm shutters, but it's critical to know that placing masking tape on your windows won't do anything in a heavy storm. After your windows are protected, move to your doors next. Make sure they're sturdy and that the deadbolts are functioning right.
  • Roof – Make sure to inspect your roof for any loose shingles and other susceptible spots. Get some roof cement to mend any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to ensure your roof is secure to your home. Additionally, you'll want to seal any areas where wires enter into your home to prevent any water damage from occurring. While you're analyzing your roof, this is a good time to see if your gutters are clogged. You want to ensure you have suitable irrigation for the heavy rains that happen during a hurricane.
  • Your Property – It's important to clear your yard of any loose items such as children's toys, garden accessories and patio furniture. If the item can be lifted from a heavy gust of wind, then clear it out and put it in a secure area so it doesn't cause damage to your home and others' around you. Furthermore, inspect your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead limbs and trim them if they need it.
  • Car – When you're concerned about safeguarding your residence from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your vehicle. Ensure that your vehicle is filled with gas, that your tires have good tread, the windows are up and that your windshield wipers are good. If you park your automobile on the street, you'll want to check that you're not parked under trees or in an area that is prone to flooding.

Get Hurricane Damage Restoration Services for Your House with Paul Davis

Regardless of all the necessary steps you take in securing your house, there is only so much you can do against storm damages. If your house succumbs to damage generated from a hurricane, reach out to the professionals at Paul Davis. The team at Paul Davis can restore your home back to where it was with our storm damage restoration and remediation services. In addition, we work with different home insurers and we can offer guidance and help you determine if your damage is covered. Reach out to Paul Davis today at +1-403-696-8886 to find a franchise near your area.