A Homeowners Approach to Securing a House from a Hurricane

Damage generated from hurricanes can be destructive for your house. The high winds can shatter windows, separate roofs and uproot trees. Your house is also susceptible to water damage and flooding from downpours. Nevertheless, there are precautions you can take to safeguard your house from strong weather conditions. Follow the approaches listed below to assure you, your family and your house is defended from a hurricane and to prevent extreme storm damage restoration.

Fundamental Approaches in Hurricane Precautions

  • Garage Door – Believe it or not, your garage is actually one of the most susceptible spots when it comes to extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes. The reason why: most garage doors are not reinforced and strong winds can get into the area. When this occurs, you get a positive push inside the garage, and as the winds are whirling above it, this creates a negative pull. A push-pull combination is created, and this can place a lot of stress on your roof and eventually rip it off. To avoid this from happening, the best method is to purchase a kit that supports your garage door. But if time isn’t on your side to put in a garage door kit, then you can use your car to support your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – The other vulnerable areas in your house are your entrances such as your windows and doors. Broken windows will allow rain and wind to move through your house, and this can lead to water damage problems. When a storm is on the way, make sure you lock and secure your windows. If you have storm shutters installed, ensure they are in good condition and locked, but if you don’t have storm shutters, you can board up your windows to keep possible damage out of your residence. Additionally, remember that placing masking tape on your windows doesn’t protect them at all. Regarding your doors, use the deadbolts or any other locks to confirm they don’t pop open during strong winds.
  • Roof – Your roof is your primary defender against the elements, and that’s why it’s critical to ensure it’s prepared for a hurricane. Search for any damaged shingles and repair them with roofing concrete. You’ll also want suitable irrigation for the heavy rains, so clean out your gutters so the water doesn’t accumulate on your roof. You can then locate any wires that are going into your house and seal off any exposed gaps to stop water damage from occurring. At last, check whether it’s required to fasten your roof with hurricane straps.
  • Your Property – The outside of your property can be a number one hazard when a hurricane approaches. Any loose items could be picked from the extreme wind and be hurled into your residence and your neighbor’s too. Make sure to relocate any children’s toys, patio furniture, BBQs and garden accessories to a location out of harm’s way. Another thing you need to do is remove any dangling or dead limbs from your trees and shrubs.
  • Car – When you’re concerned about protecting your property from a hurricane, it’s understandable that you forget about your car. Ensure that you have a full tank of gas, that your tires aren’t worn down, the windows are sealed and that your windshield wipers are working. If you have to park on the street, you’ll want to check that you’re not parked under any trees or in a location that is susceptible to flooding.

Contact a Local Paul Davis Franchise Today

Despite all the precautions you take in defending your house, there is only so much you can do. If your property experiences damage produced by a hurricane, call the experts at Paul Davis. We can bring back your house to its original status with our storm damage restoration and remediation services. We also work with a variety of insurance agencies and we can help you determine if your damage is covered. Contact us today at (410) 638-8104 to find a franchise near you.