Getting Your Home Ready for a Hurricane – Storm Damage Prevention

Damage produced by hurricanes can be devastating for your house. The high winds can shatter windows, tear apart roofs and uproot trees. Your house is also vulnerable to water damage from the constant rain. Yet, there are preventative measures you can take to secure your property from strong storms. Follow the practices listed below to assure you, your family and your home is secure from a hurricane and to avoid extreme storm damage restoration.

Hurricane Precaution Checklist

  • Garage Door – Start with your garage if your residence has one, because this is one of the most vulnerable sections for storm damage. Most garage doors don’t have the support to brace strong winds. What can take place is the wind will create a positive push in your garage, and the wind outside of it causes a negative pull. When this takes place, your roof and garage will endure a lot of pressure because of this tug-of-war instance. To avoid a major storm damage repair, you can purchase braces that will help your garage door combat hurricane conditions. This is the most trustworthy approach, but if time isn’t on your side, then you can use your vehicle to help brace your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – A common incidence that’s associated with hurricanes is water damage, and when your doors and windows aren’t protected this will allow the storm to move in your house. When a storm is imminent, make sure your shutters are sturdy and in a functional condition. The latches on your shutters should be strong and it might be necessary to install locks on them. Boarding up your windows is also an effective method if you don’t have shutters. One wrong impression that’s passed around for window prep is that you can place masking tape on the window; but this doesn’t help at all. Also, check that your doors are durable and that the deadbolts are functioning right. You can also brace your doors for added measure.
  • Roof – Make sure to scan your roof for any out of place shingles and other susceptible areas. You can use roof cement to mend any loose shingles, and you should consider getting hurricane straps to make sure your roof is secure to your home. Also, you’ll want to seal any areas where wires enter into your house to avoid any water damage from occurring. During your roof inspection, this is a good time to see if your gutters are clear of debris. You want to verify you have good irrigation for the pouring rain that occur during a hurricane.
  • Your Property – It’s necessary to clear your property of any loose items like patio furniture, children’s toys and other miscellaneous garden items. If it can be lifted from a strong wind storm, then relocate it to a safe location so it doesn’t cause damage to your property and others’ around you. Additionally, check your trees for any dead or loose branches and trim them if necessary.
  • Car – Along with your house, it’s necessary to take precautions with your vehicle. Don’t park your car beneath any trees or in an area that is prone to flooding. If you rely on street parking, you should really be careful of where you park. Furthermore, do some prep work too, such as: making sure your gas tank is full, your windshield wipers are in good condition, your tires aren’t worn out and that your windows are sealed properly.

Call a Local Paul Davis Franchise Today

Hurricanes can produce a lot of damage, and there is only so much you can do to protect your house. If your home needs storm damage restoration services, call Paul Davis. We can repair and restore your house quickly. You can trust the expert storm damage restoration team at Paul Davis. Contact us today at (585) 647-9933 and a franchise near your location will be there to get the job done.