Disaster-Proofing 101: 8 Important Things You Need for StormProof Homes
When you storm-proof homes, the key thing is preparation. In the majority of cases, when a storm causes damage to a home, it’s because the homeowners failed to prepare correctly. If you live in an area where hurricanes can occur, you should always be proactive in hurricane proofing your property.
Many households make the mistake of waiting for hurricane warnings before starting their preparations. By this point, it’s already too late. Don’t make the same mistake, and be ready with these 8 important storm-proofing tips.
1. Secure Your Windows and Doors
One of the key things you need to do when hurricane proofing your home is to protect your doors and windows. You might do this with impact-resistant glass, or you might simply put shutters over your windows.
Failing to protect your windows means you’re putting your home at risk. A hurricane can pick up debris and fling it around with such force, it can shatter your windows like a bullet. It’s not always necessary to permanently affix shutters to your home. You could simply attach a track that’ll make it very simple to attach shutters when a storm is coming.
2. Fasten the Roof Down
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you’re probably obligated to have your roof securely fastened down. This is because the uplift from a hurricane can easily tear the roof off of your home. If you’ve recently moved into your house, you should have it inspected to ensure the roof is properly secured.
Don’t underestimate the strength of a hurricane. Always make sure your roof will stay put, even in the worst of weather conditions.
3. Keep Your Yard Clutter-Free
During a hurricane, any clutter in your yard could be a danger to both your house and your neighbors’. If there’s a hurricane warning, do a sweep of your yard and remove anything that could end up getting picked up by the storm. Things like patio furniture should be properly secured or taken inside. Otherwise, they could end up doing some serious damage.
You should also be on the lookout for things like small rocks or forgotten-about tools. Small bits of debris can be easily picked up by winds and can do a lot of damage to your property.
4. Secure Your Garage Door
When it comes to hurricane proofing your home, you should give extra care and attention to your garage door. High winds can cause your garage door to give way.
In some cases, hurricane force winds forcing their way into your house through the garage can be strong enough to rip the roof off your home. You can prevent this by purchasing a hurricane-proof garage door.
If you’re unsure about how secure your garage door is, you should consider bracing it to prevent it from giving way.
5. Check Your Gutters
During a storm, it’s vital that your gutters and drains are functioning correctly. Not only should they be properly secured to the house, they should also be free of any blockages. If your drains are blocked, rainwater could end up seeping through your roof and into your attic.
Visually inspect your drains and gutters to make sure there are no blockages. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you should be proactive in keeping your drains clear at all times.
If you need to call a professional, you’ll find it’s difficult to do so when a hurricane is due to hit. This is because everyone is trying to prepare for it at the same time.
6. Have a Generator
A lot of the time, you’ll find a hurricane will knock out the power grid. So it’s a good idea to have a backup power generator on hand if you can. Ideally, you should have a whole house system, but it isn’t mandatory. At the very least, you should have a backup system that will keep the essential things running.
One thing to consider is that running a generator can be quite loud. So much so that your local zoning laws might restrict where on your property it can be placed. Make sure you follow these regulations and don’t put your generator somewhere that’s going to annoy you or your neighbors.
7. Have Supplies Ready
To be safe, you should have a good stash of basic supplies on hand. This includes things like food, water and medical supplies. If you or a family member requires any medication, you should make sure they have a good supply of it that can last for a few days.
When you buy food for your emergency supply, you should only purchase food that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Your emergency supply kit should also include things like candles, flashlights, and batteries. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you should always have an emergency supply kit available.
8. Stay Informed
Both during and after the storm, it’s vital that you stay informed. Your emergency kit should include something like a battery-powered radio or television.
You should also make sure you have enough batteries to keep them powered. Don’t make the mistake of keeping the same batteries in your emergency supply for years on end, as these batteries can slowly deteriorate over time. You should check that you’ve bought the correct size of battery for the devices that you’ll be using.
Storm Proof Homes Safely
When a hurricane comes, you should always follow instructions from the authorities. Whenever evacuation orders are issued, there are always individuals who don’t heed the warning. In some unfortunate cases, this can have deadly consequences. Always check the emergency broadcast systems for updates and follow any instructions issued by the authorities. When the storm’s passed, you may need to contact your insurance company.
When you storm-proof your home properly and ahead of time, it’ll not only protect your family, but it’ll also save you money in the long-run. Be proactive and storm-proof your home today.
Worried about flooding from a hurricane? Then find out what you need to do by reading this blog post.