Getting Your House Ready for a Hurricane – Storm Damage Prevention

Natural disasters can develop without a moment’s notice, but hurricanes can at least be identified prior to hitting your location. Preparation and planning are the most fundamental things you can do when hurricane season comes around. Since your house is one of your most valuable investments, it’s a good idea to do what you can to prevent the perils that hurricanes can bring to your house and to prevent any storm damage repair. There are lots of things to check up on when preparing your property for a hurricane. To protect your property from a hurricane, use the steps below.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

  • Garage Door – To prevent any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to check for. Most of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren’t designed to fight hurricane conditions, so it’s important to purchase a brace kit. By bracing your garage door, you’ll block the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is integral since the winds outside will cause a negative pull over your garage. When this happens, you’ll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your garage and roof. Buying a brace kit for your garage door is an efficient way to prevent excessive damage. However, if don’t have the time to install braces, you can use your vehicle to brace your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – Busted windows don’t only allow the rain to get into your home, but the wind that comes through can increase the pressure under your roof, which can lead to significant damage to your structure. Storm shutters are a great method to protect your property during a storm. When a hurricane is on its way, make sure the latches on your shutters are functioning correctly and you may want to consider adding additional locks for added measure. You can also cover your windows with OSB if you don’t have shutters, but it’s important to note that putting masking tape on your windows won’t do anything in a heavy storm. After your windows are protected, check your doors next. Make sure they’re reliable and that the deadbolts are functioning right.
  • Roof – A roof examination is critical, and you should locate for any loose shingles and other vulnerable spots. You can use roof cement to fix any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to make sure your roof is secure to your home. Also, it’s a good idea to seal any areas where wires enter into your house to prevent any water damage from occurring. While you’re examining your roof, check to see if your gutters are congested. Proper irrigation is crucial for water run-off during the heavy rains.
  • Your Property – Have a walk around your property prior to the hurricane. Your trees and shrubs need some attention and might require some trimming. Any dead or dangling branches can be dangerous in windy conditions and could cause some damage to your house. This goes for items in your yard such as patio furniture too. Move any items that aren’t secured to the ground or weighed down to a secure area before the wind takes them away.
  • Car – When you’re concerned about protecting your property from a hurricane, it’s easy to forget about your car. Ensure that you have a full tank of gas, that your tires have good tread, the windows are up and that your windshield wipers are working. If you park your vehicle on the street, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not parked under any trees or in a location that is prone to flooding.

Get in Touch with Paul Davis for Hurricane Damage Restoration

Paul Davis provides storm damage repair services, so if your property has been harmed by a hurricane, reach out to our professional team. After all, you can only do so much preparation to combat the elements. We can fix and restore your house back to normal, and we work with various home insurers. We can help you examine what’s covered with your insurance. For a Paul Davis franchise near your location, give us a call at (317) 357-5396.