How to Secure Your House from a Hurricane – Prevent Storm Damage
Water damage, flooding and structural loss are the usual incidents after a hurricane hits. Yet, there are a few important steps you can execute in order to avoid these incidents and any major storm damage repairs. It's important to do what you can to protect your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors protected. Below is a list of practices to keep in mind when preparing your residence against Mother Nature.Hurricane Prevention Checklist
- Garage Door – Start with your garage if your home has one, because this is one of the most susceptible areas for storm damage. Typically, garage doors don't have the support to combat high winds. What can happen is the wind will generate a positive push inside your garage, and the wind outside of the structure causes a negative pull. When this happens, your garage and roof will undergo a lot of stress because of this tug-of-war instance. To avoid a major storm damage repair, you can buy braces that will help your garage door resist hurricane conditions. This is the most effective method, but if you don't have the time to install a kit, then you can use your vehicle to help support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – A typical occurrence that's associated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your windows and doors aren't protected this will allow the storm to get into your house. When a hurricane is imminent, confirm that your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches on your shutters should be strong and you'll also want to put additional locks on them. If you don't have shutters for your windows, then you can cover them up. A typical misconception with window preparation is that you can tape up the window; however, this won't protect it at all. Additionally, make sure your doors are sturdy and that the deadbolts are working properly. You can also use braces on your doors for extra defense.
- Roof – Your roof acts as a primary defense against the elements, and that's why it's crucial to ensure it's ready for a hurricane. Look out for any out of place shingles and mend them with roofing concrete. You'll also want irrigation for the strong rains, so unclog your gutters so the water doesn't concentrate on your roof. You can then locate any wires that are going into your property and seal off any threatening gaps to prevent water damage from occurring. Finally, check whether it's critical to attach your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – Your yard can be a primary hazard when a hurricane hits your town. Items that aren't weighed down or fastened to the ground could be picked from the extreme wind and be hurled into your residence and your neighbor's as well. Make sure to move any BBQs, garden accessories, children's toys and patio furniture to a location safe from the storm. One other thing you'll want to do is remove any dangling or dead limbs from your shrubs and trees.
- Car – When you're caught up in securing your property from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your automobile. Ensure that your car is filled with gas, that your tires have good tread, the windows are up and that your windshield wipers are working. If you park your vehicle on the street, you'll want to check that you're not parked under trees or in a location that is susceptible to floods.