Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane - Avoid Storm Damage Repair
Structural destruction, water damage and flooding are the usual cases for a post-hurricane environment. Yet, there are some essential approaches you can take in order to avoid these scenarios and any excessive storm damage repairs. It's crucial to do what you can to protect your property from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors safe. Below is a list of practices to keep in mind when preparing your property against the elements.Ways to Brace for a Hurricane
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to check for. A lot of the garage doors on the market aren't installed to combat hurricane conditions, so it's critical to purchase a brace kit. By supporting your garage door, you'll fight against the winds that cause a positive push in your garage. This is important because the winds outside will generate a negative pull above your garage. When this happens, you'll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of stress on your roof and garage. Buying a support kit for your garage door is an efficient method to avoid excessive damage. However, if it's too late to install the garage door kit, you can use your automobile to support your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – A typical incidence that's correlated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your doors and windows aren't safeguarded this will allow the storm to move in your home. Before the storm hits, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters should 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. A typical misconception with window prep is that you can tape up the window; but this doesn't protect it at all. Also, ensure your doors are in good condition and that the deadbolts are functioning correctly. You can also use braces on your doors for extra security.
- Roof – A roof examination is important, and you should look out for any loose shingles and other susceptible areas. You can use roof cement to fix any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to ensure your roof is secure to your home. Also, you'll want to seal any areas where wires come into your home to avoid any water damage from happening. In the course of your roof examination, check to see if your gutters are congested. Suitable irrigation is vital for directing water away from your house during the hurricane.
- Your Property – It's significant to clear your lawn of any loose items like children's toys, garden accessories and patio furniture. If it can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then clear it out and put it in a secure area so it doesn't cause damage to your house and others' around you. Furthermore, examine your trees for any dead or loose branches and trim them if necessary.
- Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you're prepping your property for a storm. But it's important to get your car ready as well, so make sure you have: your gas tank filled, working windshield wipers, good tires and your windows sealed properly. Additionally, be mindful of where you park your car, especially if you rely on street parking. Make sure your vehicle isn't beneath any trees or in a location that's prone to flooding.