How to Secure Your House from a Hurricane – Avoid Storm Damage
Damages generated from hurricanes can be disastrous for your residence. The high winds can smash windows, tear apart roofs and knock over trees and shrubs. Your residence is also exposed to water damage from the constant rain. Still, there are preventative measures you can take to defend your house from strong weather conditions. Follow the methods listed below to assure you, your family and your property is protected from a hurricane and to avoid extreme storm damage restoration.Necessary Steps in Hurricane Preparation
- Garage Door – Believe it or not, your garage is really one of the more susceptible places when it comes to extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes. The logic behind it: the average garage door is not reinforced and strong winds can get into the garage. When this happens, a positive push generates inside the garage, and as the winds are swirling above your structure, this causes a negative pull. With the push-pull combination, this can place a lot of pressure on your roof and ultimately it could tear it off your garage. To avoid this from happening, the best technique is to buy a kit that supports your garage door. Although, if it's too late to install a kit, then you can utilize your vehicle to brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the more common perils tied to hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't protected this will allow the storm to move in your home. Before the storm hits, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a working condition. The latches need to be stable and you'll also want to install locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also an efficient method if you don't have storm shutters. One wrong impression that's been taught for window prep is that you can use masking tape on the window; however, this won't help at all. Also, ensure your doors are sturdy and that the deadbolts are working correctly. You can also use braces on your doors for added measure.
- Roof – A roof checkup is crucial, and you should look out for any loose shingles and other susceptible spots. Get some roof cement to mend any loose shingles, and you should consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is fastened to your house. Also, it's a good idea to seal any areas where wires come into your home to avoid any water damage from happening. In the course of your roof inspection, this is a good time to see if your gutters are cleaned out. Suitable irrigation is vital for water run-off during the heavy rains.
- Your Property – It's significant to clear your property of any loose items like garden accessories, patio furniture and children's toys. If it can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then relocate it to a safe location so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Additionally, inspect your trees for any dangling or dead limbs and trim them if they need it.
- Car – When you're concerned about securing your residence 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 up 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 susceptible to floods.