Hurricanes

Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane

A hurricane can do massive amounts of damage to a home, and even completely destroy it. People who live close to the Atlantic, or any other tropical body of water that is subject to hurricane season, should take every precaution possible to provide for the protection of their homes in case a storm does arise. There are several things home owners can do to help secure their property.

Strengthening the roof

The roofs of most homes are topped with shingles that are usually nailed and stapled into place. They will not provide any protection against the fierce winds a hurricane can produce. In order to reinforce them, put a strong adhesive, such as asphalt cement, under each shingle so that the top of the roof is literally glued together. This will help keep them in place during a storm, and make the roof more secure.

Home owners with other types of roofs may want to speak to certified contractors to find out what can be done to stabilize their roof and help keep it safe during emergency scenarios.

Reinforcing the front door

Homeowners may consider their doors to be durable enough to resist storms if they are made out of heavy duty woods. While this might be the case, reinforcing the doors will help ensure that they provide additional protection from a storm. Extra bolts can be added to doors at both the head and the foot. These bolts will help secure the door to the frame and make the entire structure even stronger. A door with a solid dead bolt will also provide additional security.

Garage doors

It is possible to purchase garage doors that are designed to stand up to the heavy winds a hurricane produces. People who live in areas that are likely to experience a hurricane at some point may want to consider installing this type of door to their garage. Those that want to reinforce their existing garage doors can inquire at local hardware stores to find a retro fit kit that contains the necessary supplies and instructions on how to make garage doors more secure and able to withstand heavy winds.

Window shutters

Every window or glass door would benefit greatly from the installation of an impact resistant shutter. They are designed to fight against the wind, and keep the glass safe and in one piece. Some homeowners keep storm shutters stored away for part of the year, and then put them on during the hurricane season, which lasts from June until November. This allows windows and glass doors to be prominently displayed during safe seasons, and properly covered and protected during the time when tropical storms are a potential hazard.

Hurricanes can produce massive amounts of flooding and extremely strong winds. They can destroy a home or any other structure that is in their path. Taking a few steps to prepare your home may not ensure that it will not be damaged at all, but it will give the house an extra level of protection and can help you to avoid unnecessary damage from a hurricane.