Getting Your House Ready for a Hurricane - Storm Damage Prevention
Natural disasters can strike at any time, but hurricanes can at least be identified prior to hitting your location. Planning and preparing are very fundamental things you can execute when a hurricane comes around. Since your house is one of your biggest assets, it's a good idea to do what you can to prevent the perils that hurricanes can bring to your property and to avoid any storm damage restoration. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when preparing your residence for the big storm. To protect your residence from a hurricane, use the methods listed below.Things to Keep in Mind When a Hurricane Is Scheduled
- 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 in residential neighborhoods aren't installed to fight hurricane conditions, so it's important to purchase a support kit. Through supporting your garage door, you'll have defense against the winds that cause a positive push in your garage. This is significant because the winds outside will create 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 garage and roof. Supporting your garage door with braces is an effective way to prevent major damage. However, if don't have the time to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most common impairments associated with hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't protected this will allow the wind and rain to move in your house. Before the storm reaches your location, verify that your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches need to be secure and it may be necessary to put additional locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also a great idea if you don't have shutters. A typical fallacy with window preparation is that you can place masking tape on the window; however, this won't secure it at all. Additionally, ensure your doors are in good condition and that the deadbolts are working correctly. You can also brace your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Conducting a quick checkup on your roof before a hurricane comes to your location can save you from a lot of property damage. A good beginning point is to locate damaged shingles and apply some roofing cement to fix them. Next, look for any threatening gaps where any wiring is coming into your house and seal them off. This can block water from entering your residence. You might want to think about getting hurricane straps to verify your roof is secure too. Another thing to do is clean out your gutters so there's appropriate irrigation for the heavy rains.
- Your Property – It's essential to clear your yard of any loose items like children's toys, garden accessories and patio furniture. If it can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then relocate it to a secure location so it doesn't cause damage to your property and others' around you. Furthermore, inspect your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead limbs and trim them if they need it.
- Car – Aside from your property, it's necessary to take preventative measures with your car. Don't park your vehicle beneath any trees or in an area that floods easily. If you rely on street parking, you should really be watchful of where you park during a hurricane. Furthermore, do some prep work too, such as: making sure your gas tank is full, your windshield wipers are working, your tires have good tread and that your windows are sealed properly.