Hurricane Protection – Bracing Your Property from Probable Damage

Natural disasters can occur at any time, but hurricanes can at least be discovered prior to hitting your location. Planning and preparing are the most essential things you can do when hurricane season comes around. Because your house is one of your most valuable expenses, it’s a good idea to do what you can to avoid the perils that hurricanes can bring to your property and to prevent any storm damage repair. There are lots of things to keep in mind when prepping your home for a hurricane. To secure your home from a hurricane, use the methods listed below.

Hurricane Planning Checklist – Best Methods to Prevent Storm Damage

  • Garage Door – To prevent any extreme storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the primary things to take care. Most of the garage doors in residential neighborhoods aren’t installed to fight hurricane conditions, so it’s essential to purchase a support kit. By bracing your garage door, you’ll fight against the winds that cause a positive push in your garage. This is integral since the winds outside will create a negative pull above your garage. When this happens, you’ll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of pressure on your garage and roof. Supporting your garage door with braces is an efficient method to avoid excessive damage. But, if it’s too late to install braces, you can use your car to support your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – A typical incidence that’s correlated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your windows and doors aren’t protected this will allow the storm to get into your house. Before the storm hits, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches need to be stable and it might be necessary to put additional locks on them. You can also protect your windows with some OSB if you don’t have storm shutters. One wrong impression that’s been taught for window preparation is that you can use masking tape on the window; however, this doesn’t secure it at all. Also, ensure your doors are in strong condition and that the deadbolts are working properly. You can also install braces on your doors for extra security.
  • Roof – Your roof acts as your number one defender against the elements, and that’s why it’s crucial to ensure it’s ready for hurricane season. Locate any out of place shingles and repair them with roofing concrete. You’ll also want irrigation for the pouring rains, so clean out your gutters so the water doesn’t accumulate on your roof. You can then find any wires that are going into your property and seal off any threatening gaps to prevent water damage from happening. Lastly, assess whether it’s required to secure your roof with hurricane straps.
  • Your Property – It’s essential 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 relocate it to a safe area so it doesn’t cause damage to your property and others’ around you. Additionally, examine your trees and shrubbery for any dead or loose branches and trim them if they need it.
  • Car – Aside from your home, you should also take preventative measures with your car. Don’t park your vehicle beneath any trees or in a spot that is susceptible to flooding. If you keep your vehicle on the street, you should really be tentative of where you park during a hurricane. Additionally, do some prep work as well, like: making sure your gas tank is full, your windshield wipers are working, your tires aren’t worn out and that your windows are sealed properly.

Who We Are

Paul Davis provides storm damage repair services, so if your residence has been harmed by a hurricane, reach out to our professional team. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do to combat the elements. We can restore your property back to its original status, and we work with various home insurers. The expert team at Paul Davis can help you calculate what’s covered with your insurance. To find a Paul Davis franchise in your area, give us a call at (239) 337-2500.