Hurricane Protection – Prepping Your Home from Potential Damage
Natural disasters can materialize without a moment's notice, but hurricanes can at least be revealed before they hit your location. Hurricane season is a time for planning. Because your home is one of your most valuable assets, it's a good idea to do what you can to avoid the damages that hurricanes can bring to your house and to prevent any storm damage repair. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when preparing your house for the big storm. To safeguard your house from a hurricane, follow the steps below.Hurricane Prevention Checklist - Best Steps to Avoid Storm Damage
- Garage Door – Begin with your garage if your residence has one, because this is one of the more susceptible areas for storm damage. Strong winds can get through the typical residential garage door because they're not installed with the extra support. What can happen is the wind will create a positive push in your garage, and the wind outside of it causes a negative pull. When this happens, your roof and garage will undergo a lot of stress because of this push-pull situation. To defend from a major storm damage repair, you can purchase braces that will help your garage door resist hurricane conditions. This is the most trustworthy step, but if you don't have the time to install a kit, then you can use your automobile to help brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the more frequent hardships associated with hurricanes, and when your doors and windows aren't protected this will allow the wind and rain to get into your home. Before the storm reaches your area, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters should be secure and you'll also want to put additional locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also a great idea if you don't have shutters. One wrong idea that's been taught for window prep is that you can use masking tape on the window; but this doesn't protect it at all. Additionally, ensure your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are working properly. You can also brace your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Conducting a quick analysis of your roof prior to a hurricane can save you from excessive property damage. A great starting point is to check for loose shingles and use some roofing cement to repair them. Next, look for any exposed gaps where any wiring is entering in your home and seal them off. Small gaps may not seem like a problem, but sealing them off can bar any water from entering your house. You might want to consider obtaining hurricane straps to verify your roof is fastened too. Additionally, you'll want to clear out your gutters so there's proper irrigation for the strong rains.
- Your Property – It's necessary to clear your lawn of any loose items like patio furniture, children's toys and other miscellaneous garden items. If the item can be picked up from a strong wind storm, then relocate it to a secure area so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Additionally, examine your trees for any dangling or dead branches and trim them if they need it.
- Car – When you're worried about protecting your property from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your automobile. Ensure that your vehicle is filled with gas, that your tires aren't worn down, the windows are sealed and that your windshield wipers are good. If you have to park on the street, you'll want to check that you're not parked under any trees or in a location that is vulnerable to flooding.
