Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane – Storm Damage Prevention

Damage generated by hurricanes can be devastating for your home. The strong winds can shatter windows, tear apart roofs and knock over trees and shrubs. Your home is also vulnerable to water damage from the heavy rains. However, there are precautions you can take to secure your property from strong weather conditions. Follow the methods listed below to make sure you, your family and your home is secure from a hurricane and to prevent the need for storm damage restoration.

Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Approaches

  • Garage Door – To prevent any extreme storm damage restorations, your garage door should be one of the first things to take care. Most of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren’t installed to fight hurricane conditions, so it’s critical to purchase a support kit. Through bracing your garage door, you’ll block the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is important because the winds that develop outside will create a negative pull over your garage. When this happens, you’ll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of stress on your roof and garage. Supporting your garage door with braces is the most efficient method to prevent excessive damage. However, if it’s too late to install braces, you can use your car to support your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – A typical occurrence that’s correlated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your windows and doors aren’t protected this will allow the wind and rain to move in your home. Before the storm reaches your location, verify that your shutters are durable and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters need to 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. A typical fallacy with window preparation is that you can use masking tape on the window; however, this won’t secure it at all. Also, ensure your doors are sturdy and that the deadbolts are functioning correctly. You can also install braces on your doors for extra defense.
  • Roof – Your roof is a primary defense against the elements, and that’s why it’s important to ensure it’s ready for hurricane season. Locate any damaged shingles and fix them with roofing concrete. You’ll also want good irrigation for the strong rains, so clear out your gutters so the water doesn’t accumulate on your roof. You can then locate any wires that are going into your property and seal off any exposed gaps to prevent water damage from occurring. Finally, check whether it’s crucial to fasten your roof with hurricane straps.
  • Your Property – It’s important to clear your lawn of any loose items like children’s toys, garden accessories and patio furniture. If the item can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then relocate it to a secure location so it doesn’t cause damage to your property and others’ around you. Furthermore, inspect your trees and shrubbery for any dangling or dead limbs and trim them if necessary.
  • 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 too, so make sure you have: your gas tank filled, working windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed. Additionally, be cautious of where you park, especially if you park on the street. Check that your vehicle isn’t under any trees or in a location that’s prone to floods.

Who We Are

Paul Davis offers storm damage restoration and remediation services, so if your home has been damaged by a hurricane, reach out to our expert team. Unfortunately, you can only do so much preparation to safeguard your home from the elements. We can restore your property back to normal, and we work with a range of insurance companies. We can help you examine what’s covered with your insurance. To locate a Paul Davis franchise in your area, give us a call at (937) 436-3411.