Hurricane Protection – Bracing Your Property from Potential Disaster
Natural disasters can strike at any time, but hurricanes can at least be detected before they hit your location. Planning and preparing are very fundamental things you can execute when a hurricane comes around. Because your home is one of your most valuable investments, it's a good idea to do what you can to prevent the damages that hurricanes can bring to your home and to prevent any storm damage repair. There are a lot of things to check up on when safeguarding your home for a hurricane. To protect your home from a hurricane, follow the steps below.How to Plan for a Hurricane
- Garage Door – In fact, your garage is really one of the most susceptible places when it comes to heavy storms like hurricanes. The reason why: most garage doors are not reinforced and heavy winds can get into the garage. When this occurs, you get a positive push in the garage, and as the winds are churning above it, this causes a negative pull. With the push-pull combo, this can place a lot of pressure on your roof and eventually rip it off. To combat this from happening, the best resolution is to buy a kit that supports your garage door. But if time isn't on your side to install a kit, then you can utilize your car to brace your garage door.
- Windows and Doors – Water damage is one of the most common hardships associated with hurricanes, and when your doors and windows aren't secure this will allow the wind and rain to move in your home. Before the storm reaches your area, make sure your shutters are durable and in a working condition. The latches on your shutters should be stable and you'll also want to install locks on them. If you don't have shutters for your windows, then you can board them up with some OSB. A common fallacy with window prep is that you can tape up the window; but this won't help at all. Also, ensure your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are working right. You can also use braces on your doors for extra defense.
- Roof – Inspecting your roof is important before a hurricane passes through your location, and it can defend against property damage and provide you peace-of-mind. One of the main things you'll want to look for is damaged shingles and use some roofing cement to repair them. Afterward, check to see if there are unprotected 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 block water from getting into your home. You might want to think about obtaining hurricane straps to ensure your roof is secure too. Another thing to do is clean out your gutters so there's proper irrigation for the heavy rains.
- Your Property – Have a walk around your yard before the storm hits. Your trees and shrubs need some attention and might necessitate some pruning. Any dangling or dead branches can be threatening in windy conditions and could cause a lot of damage to your home. This goes for items in your yard such as patio furniture as well. Relocate any loose items to a secure area before the wind takes them away.
- Car – Your vehicle can easily be forgotten when you're preparing your home for a storm. But it's a good idea to get your vehicle ready as well, so ensure you have: a full tank of gas, good windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed properly. Additionally, be cautious of where you park, especially if you park on the street. Check that your vehicle isn't beneath any trees or in a location that's susceptible to floods.