Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane - Prevent Storm Damage Repair
Water damage, flooding and ruined structures are the typical scenarios for a post-hurricane environment. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental steps you can execute in order to avoid these scenarios and any major storm damage repairs. It's imperative to do what you can to protect your property from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors protected. Below is a list of approaches to keep in mind when preparing your residence against the elements.Things to Keep in Mind When a Hurricane Approaches
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the first things to check for. Most of the garage doors on the market aren't designed to combat hurricane conditions, so it's critical to purchase a brace kit. By bracing your garage door, you'll have defense against the winds that generate a positive push in your space. This is significant since the winds outside will generate a negative pull over your garage. When this happens, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your roof and garage. Getting a support kit for your garage door is the most effective way to avoid major damage. But, if don't have the time to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Broken windows don't only allow the rain to get into your house, but the wind that blows through can put a lot of pressure under your roof, which can lead to significant structural damage. Storm shutters are an effective way to secure your residence during a hurricane. When a hurricane is at hand, make sure the latches on your shutters are functioning correctly and you may want to think about adding additional locks for added measure. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don't have shutters, but it's vital to note that putting masking tape on your windows won't do anything in a heavy storm. After your windows are protected, check your doors next. Make sure they're sturdy and that the deadbolts are in working order.
- Roof – Your roof acts as your number one defender against the elements, and that's why it's important to make sure it's prepared for a hurricane. Locate any out of place shingles and mend them with reliable roofing material, such as roofing cement. 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 locate any wires that are entering into your house and seal off any unprotected gaps to stop water damage from occurring. Lastly, judge whether it's necessary to fasten your roof with hurricane straps.
- Your Property – It's necessary to clear your property of any loose items like 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 safe area so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Additionally, examine your trees and shrubbery for any dead or loose branches and trim them if necessary.
- Car – When you're caught up in securing your home from a hurricane, it's easy to forget about your car. Make sure that your car is filled with gas, that your tires are in good condition, the windows are sealed and that your windshield wipers are good. If you park your car on the street, you'll want to make sure that you're not parked under trees or in an area that is vulnerable to floods.