Hurricane Security – Bracing Your House from Probable Disaster
Structural loss, water damage and flooding are the common incidents after a hurricane passes through. However, there are a few fundamental steps you can take in order to avoid these incidents and any major storm damage repairs. It's imperative to do whatever you can to secure your home from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors secure. Listed below are things to keep in mind when preparing your house against the elements.Hurricane Prevention Checklist
- Garage Door – To avoid any extreme storm damage restorations, your garage door should be one of the primary things to check for. A lot of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren't designed to fight hurricane conditions, so it's important to purchase a brace kit. By bracing your garage door, you'll prevent the winds that create a positive push in your garage. This is integral because the winds that develop outside will generate a negative pull over your garage. When this occurs, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of stress on your garage and roof. Supporting your garage door with braces is an effective approach to avoid excessive damage. However, if it's too late to install braces, you can use your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the more frequent hardships associated with hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't safeguarded this will allow the storm to move in your home. Before the storm reaches your location, make sure your shutters are durable and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters need to be stable and you'll also want to put additional locks on them. If your house doesn't have storm shutters for your windows, then you can cover them up. One wrong impression that's passed around for window preparation is that you can tape up the window; but this doesn't secure it at all. Also, ensure your doors are in good condition and that the deadbolts are functioning correctly. You can also brace your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Your roof acts as your number one protector against the elements, and that's why it's critical to ensure it's ready for a hurricane. Locate any damaged shingles and repair them with roofing concrete. You'll also want irrigation for the strong rains, so unclog your gutters so the water doesn't accumulate on your roof. You can then check out any wires that are entering into your home and seal off any vulnerable gaps to prevent water damage from happening. Finally, figure out whether it's crucial to secure your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – Take a stroll through your lawn before the storm hits. Your shrubs and trees need attention and might necessitate some trimming. Any dead or dangling limbs can be threatening in high winds and could cause a lot of damage to your home. This includes items on your property like patio furniture too. Relocate any loose items to a safe location before the wind can take them.
- Car – Along with your home, you should also take precautions with your car. Don't park your vehicle beneath any trees or in an area that is prone to flooding. If you park on the street, you should really be tentative of where you park during a hurricane. In addition, do some prep work too, like: ensuring your gas tank is full, your windshield wipers are working, your tires have good tread and that your windows are sealed correctly.