Make Your Home Hurricane-Ready

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It’s easy to overlook that hurricane season is upon us during this season of tan lines, beach vacations, popsicles, and sunlight. Start stockpiling materials now so you’re ready when the following tropical depression turns into an exceeded all expectations.

Getting prepared for a storm should not fill you with dread. It’s actually a great excuse to tackle those home maintenance that has been piling up on your to-do list and stock up on groceries. Make the most of the resources and time you have when the weather is nice—it will be much more challenging once the gale-force winds are chasing you down and the stores are out of the water and found, and the petrol stations are out of gas.

When Should I Begin Hurricane Preparations?

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The short answer is right now. It is never too early to begin planning for a massive storm, especially if you are expecting more than one this year!

Making preparations ahead of time does more than just give you peace of mind. Also, it puts you in an easier position to care for your pets and family in the event of a natural disaster, such as a power outage or flood.

When you’re still getting ready, you can (and should!) make a hurricane plan. If you anticipate a risky storm, you could perhaps know where you can seek shelter and have an emergency plan ready. Users should also know what to do if the hurricane starts changing direction and you need to rip down the compartments at the residence in less than 24 hours.

How Can I Get My House Ready for a Hurricane?

Given that hurricanes are classified based on their potential for causing property damage, it’s understandable that many homeowners want to secure their homes. While some hurricanes are destined to cause havoc, research and safety innovations have made significant progress in the last few years to reduce potential property damage. Here are a few ways to protect your home from hurricane damage:

1. Edges of windows and doors should be caulked

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If you’re concerned regarding water leaking through door jambs and glass crevices, plan to caulk these areas. Even if your massive storm has been downgraded by the time it gets to your house, huge rain can cause devastating floods or home damage. Caulking the gaps and leaks around your home will aid in preventing interior rain damage.

2. Install storm shutters

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In certain areas, storm shutters may come standard with the house. Several of these accordion-styled open and close, while others roll down like a garage door. Storm shutters should be implanted completely on your windows so that they can be launched quickly and securely. If you purchased a home and discovered a large collection of perforated sheet metal stashed in the garage, those are most likely your hurricane shutters. They’re typical and fairly simple to put up, but you’ll need a ladder, protective clothing, and another pair of hands to assist you.

3. Secure roof with clips or straps

Roofs may appear to be secure constructions, but if you have never experienced a massive storm, you would be amazed at how vulnerable they can be too high winds. Throughout a Category 5 hurricane, some homes lose large portions of their roofs or their entire roof. Instead of leaving it to chance, prepare ahead of time by protecting your roof.

To reduce your risk of roof repairs, the best method for securing your roof is to use hurricane straps or clips. Both straps and the clips help to secure the roof of your home, providing it with a better chance of surviving the storm.

Protect Windows

If you’ve ever lived through a hurricane or watched media exposure of one, you’ve probably noticed that the majority of houses have some kind of window protection. Because of the high wind speeds associated with hurricanes, there is a high risk of debris fracturing a window. Not only is shattered glass dangerous, but a broken window exposes your home to the components, including intense rainfall. You have a few choices if you wish to avoid glass shards and water damage.

One of the common methods of protecting windows is to use wooden boards such as plywood. If you don’t have hurricane-tempered glass, this is the best and most cost-effective alternative. All you’ll need is enough wood to complete the project. If you have hurricane glass windows, you are not required to board them. Individuals who do not board their windows may be persuaded to tape a large “X” on the window with duct tape. Folks who use this method presume that the tape will decrease the number of glass shards if an item strikes the window. This is not only false but also risky. When glass windows are taped, they may shatter into larger shards, which could be more unsafe than small pieces. Another common misconception is that maintaining a window cracked helps to normalize pressure inside the home. This is false; in fact, it exacerbates the problem. An air vent that allows wreckage to enter the house at high speeds is also problematic.