Getting Your House Ready for a Hurricane – Avoid Storm Damage Repair

Ruined structures, water damage and flooding are the usual incidents after a hurricane hits. Yet, there are a few fundamental precautions you can take in order to prevent these incidents and any major storm damage repairs. It’s crucial to do what you can to protect your property from a hurricane and to keep your loved ones and your neighbors protected. Below is a list of approaches to keep in mind while defending your home against the elements.

Things to Prepare When a Hurricane Approaches

  • Garage Door – To prevent any major storm damage repairs, your garage door should be one of the first things to check for. Most of the garage doors on the market aren’t designed to combat hurricane conditions, so it’s critical to purchase a support kit. By supporting your garage door, you’ll block the winds that cause a positive push in your space. This is important because the winds that develop outside will generate a negative pull above your garage. When this happens, you’ll get a push-pull scenario which puts a lot of stress on your garage and roof. Getting a support kit for your garage door is the most efficient approach to prevent major damage. However, if don’t have the time to install the garage door kit, you can use your car to support your garage door.
  • Windows and Doors – Broken windows don’t only allow the rain to get into your house, but the wind that comes through can increase the pressure under your roof, which can lead to excessive structural damage. Storm shutters are a great way to protect your home during a storm. When a storm is on its way, make sure the latches on your shutters are functioning properly and you may want to think about installing additional locks for added defense. You can also board up your windows if you don’t have shutters, but it’s crucial to know that placing masking tape on your windows won’t do anything in a heavy storm. After your windows are secure, move to your doors next. Verify that they’re strong and that the deadbolts are in working order.
  • Roof – Your roof is your primary protector against the elements, and that’s why it’s vital to make sure it’s prepared for hurricane season. Look out for any out of place shingles and repair them with reliable roofing material, such as roofing cement. You’ll also want appropriate irrigation for the strong rains, so unclog your gutters so the water doesn’t concentrate on your roof. You can then locate any wires that are entering into your property and seal off any susceptible gaps to prevent water damage from occurring. Finally, check whether it’s crucial to protect your roof with hurricane straps.
  • Your Property – Your lawn can be a primary threat when a hurricane hits your town. Items that aren’t weighed down or fastened to the ground could be lifted from the high wind and be thrown into your house and your neighbor’s as well. Walk around your lawn and relocate any children’s toys, patio furniture, BBQs and garden accessories to a location safe from the storm. Another thing you need to do is remove any dangling or dead limbs from your shrubs and trees.
  • Car – Your car can easily be forgotten when you’re preparing your residence for a storm. But it’s a good idea to get your car ready as well, so make sure you have: your gas tank filled, working windshield wipers, tires with good tread and your windows sealed. Additionally, be attentive of where you park, especially if you park on the street. Make sure your vehicle isn’t beneath any trees or in a location that’s prone to flooding.

Call a Local Paul Davis Franchise Today

Regardless of all the precautions you take in securing your home, there is only so much you can do against storm damages. If your house experiences damage caused by a hurricane, contact the experts at Paul Davis. Our storm and hurricane damage restoration and remediation services will get your house back to normal again. Additionally, we work with a variety of insurance agencies and we can help you figure out if your damage is covered. Get in touch with Paul Davis today at (865) 584-1227 to locate a franchise near your area.