Getting Your House Ready for a Hurricane - Storm Damage Prevention
Natural disasters can materialize at any time, but hurricanes can at least be revealed before they hit your location. Preparation and planning are the most important things you can execute when hurricane season comes around. Since your home is one of your most valuable expenses, it's a good idea to do what you can to prevent the perils that hurricanes can bring to your home and to avoid any storm damage restoration. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when safeguarding your residence for the big storm. To defend your residence from a hurricane, follow the steps below.Things to Keep in Mind When a Hurricane Approaches
- Garage Door – To avoid any major storm damage restorations, 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 critical to buy a brace kit. By supporting your garage door, you'll block the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is crucial since the winds outside will cause 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. Purchasing a brace kit for your garage door is the most efficient way to prevent excessive damage. However, if don't have the time to install braces, you can use your car to brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most common impairments tied to hurricanes, and when your windows and doors aren't protected this will allow the wind and rain to move in your home. When a hurricane is imminent, check that your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches should be secure and you'll also want to install locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also an efficient approach if you don't have storm shutters. A typical fallacy with window prep is that you can tape up the window; but this doesn't secure it at all. Also, make sure your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are functioning right. You can also use braces on your doors for added measure.
- Roof – Administering a quick analysis of your roof prior to a hurricane can save you from excessive property damage. A good starting point is to locate loose shingles and use some roofing cement to fix them. Afterward, check to see if there are exposed gaps where any wiring is entering in your home and seal them off. Small gaps may not seem like a problem, but sealing them off can prevent water from getting into your residence. You might want to consider obtaining hurricane straps to confirm your roof is secure as well. Also, you'll want to unclog your gutters so there's suitable irrigation for the heavy rains.
- Your Property – Strolling through your lawn is another necessary measure you should take. Your trees and shrubs need some consideration and might require some trimming. Any dangling or dead branches can be hazardous in windy conditions and could cause a lot of damage to your home. This includes items on your lawn like patio furniture as well. Move any loose items to a safe location before the wind takes them away.
- Car – Aside from your property, you should also take preventative measures with your car. Don't park your vehicle under any trees or in an area that floods easily. If you keep your vehicle on the street, you should really be tentative of where you park during a hurricane. Furthermore, do some prep work as well, like: making sure your tank is full, your windshield wipers are working, your tires have good tread and that your windows are sealed properly.