Staying informed is a vital part of what a responsible homeowner should do during hurricane season. In addition to heeding government advice, you should also prepare your home as best as possible to mitigate hurricane damage.
If you live in a locale prone to hurricanes and storms, you know how destructive and dangerous they can be. The force of a hurricane can destroy walls and the foundation of a home and rip apart your roof deck. Hurricanes also cause flooding issues and power outages. Fortunately, we have your home covered with preparation tips to spare it from damage.
HOW TO FORTIFY WINDOWS AND DOORS
Your windows and doors are your home’s first line of defense against the unforgiving force of a hurricane. Some homeowners mistakenly open their windows and doors based on the notion that it equalizes the pressure outside and inside their homes. These openings will only serve as entryways for debris, water, and hail, and you can protect your home by:
Your windows will be vulnerable to flying debris, hail, wind, and other destructive elements during the hurricane, and you need to shield them from damage.
Storm shutters are typically made of aluminum, polycarbonate, and steel, and there are plenty of appealing options if you are keen on aesthetics. Shutter types include colonial, roll down, Bahama, and accordion, and you can also get them for your sliding doors. As tempting as it is to save costs by installing the shutters yourself, you should get professional help to ensure they are correctly installed for maximum protection.
SEAL YOUR DOORS AND INSTALL HEAVY-DUTY BOLTS
Leaky doors can allow water into your home and cause water damage issues. Hot weather will cause seals to wear over time, which is why you should thoroughly check the ones around your door.
Exterior doors made from steel or solid wood provide the best protection from hurricanes. To make your home even safer, you can add a heavy-duty deadbolt, a third hinge to all doors, and slide bolts on the top and bottom of exterior doors.
ROOF PREPARATION
To determine if your roof is primed for hurricanes and storms, start by checking for missing shingles and leaks. Have a roofing expert come to your property to ensure everything is in place. Other measures to consider include:
CLEAR DRAINS AND GUTTERS
You want to have clear gutters during heavy rains to facilitate water drainage. Gutters commonly collect debris, leaves, and twigs and become clogged. Backed-up gutters will place a strain on your roof structure and lead to leaks. By clearing your drains, you will be confident that there are no vulnerabilities in your property and that water will flow freely.
INSTALL ROOF STRAPS
Intense hurricanes can easily rip apart a roof that is not adequately reinforced. Do not bet on gravity to hold down your roof, as you can use metal connectors to secure it in place. Hurricane straps will secure your home’s rafters to the walls to make your roof wind-resistant. Hire a seasoned contractor to install the roof straps properly.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR
The items lying around your yard can quickly become missiles hurtling towards your home during hurricanes. You want to have a clear yard when the hurricane approaches, and you should remove any furniture, bikes, grill, potted plants, and garden gnomes.
Cut any weak trees and branches and remove any close trees that can fall on your house. If you have decorative gravel in your yard, you can replace it with mulch or shredded bark since gravel easily gets picked up by the wind and causes damage to windows and siding.
Final thoughts
Hurricanes can be brutal and unpredictable, but you can fortify your home and spare yourself from the cost of extensive repairs. At All Phase Roofing services, we take disaster preparedness seriously, and the above tips will help you make the necessary adjustments before the storm hits. After the weather clears, you can contact our roofing experts to clean up after the storm and carry out repairs.
