Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane – Avoid Storm Damages

Water damage, flooding and structural loss are the typical incidents for a post-hurricane environment. Nevertheless, there are a few essential steps you can take in order to prevent these scenarios and any major storm damage restorations. It’s crucial to do anything you can to defend your house from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors protected. Below is a list of practices to keep in mind while safeguarding your residence against the elements.

Essential Steps in Hurricane Precautions

  • Garage Door – To prevent any extreme storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to take care. A lot of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren’t installed to combat hurricane conditions, so it’s important to purchase a brace kit. By supporting your garage door, you’ll have defense against the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is critical because the winds that develop outside will generate a negative pull over your garage. When this happens, you’ll get a tug-of-war scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your roof and garage. Purchasing a support kit for your garage door is an efficient way to prevent major damage. But, if don’t have the time to install braces, you can use your car to support your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – Damaged windows don’t only allow the rain to get into your residence, but the wind that comes in can put a lot of pressure under your roof, which can lead to significant structural damage. Storm shutters are a great way to protect your residence during a storm. When a hurricane is looming, make sure the latches on your shutters are functioning correctly and you may want to think about adding additional locks for added defense. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don’t have shutters, but it’s crucial to note that placing masking tape on your windows won’t do anything to protect your home from a hurricane. After your windows are secure, move to your doors next. Verify that they’re durable and that the deadbolts are functioning right.
  • Roof – Your roof acts as a primary defense against Mother Nature, and that’s why it’s crucial to make sure it’s ready for a hurricane. Locate any damaged shingles and mend them with reliable roofing material, such as roofing cement. You’ll also want irrigation for the strong rains, so unclog your gutters so the water doesn’t concentrate on your roof. You can then find any wires that are going into your home and seal off any exposed gaps to stop water damage from occurring. Lastly, evaluate whether it’s crucial to secure your roof with hurricane straps.
  • Your Property – It’s necessary to clear your yard of any loose items like children’s toys, garden accessories and patio furniture. If it can be lifted from a heavy gust of wind, then clear it out and put it in a safe location so it doesn’t cause damage to your home and others’ around you. Additionally, inspect your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead branches and trim them if they need it.
  • Car – Your vehicle can easily be forgotten when you’re prepping your home for a hurricane. But it’s just as crucial to get your vehicle ready as well, so ensure you have: your gas tank filled, working windshield wipers, good tires and your windows sealed properly. Also, be cognizant of where you park your vehicle, especially if you rely on street parking. Check that your car isn’t under any trees or in a location that’s susceptible to floods.

Get Hurricane Damage Restoration Services for Your Home with Paul Davis

Despite all the necessary steps you take in securing your residence, there is only so much you can do. If your house succumbs to damage produced by a hurricane, reach out to the experts at Paul Davis. The team at Paul Davis can bring back your home to its original status with our storm damage restoration and remediation services. We also work with a variety of insurance companies and we can offer guidance and help you figure out if your damage is covered. Reach out to us today at (586) 983-8008 to locate a franchise near you.