Many homes are not prepared for hurricanes or tropical storms. The cost of such a disaster can be enormous, both in terms of the monetary loss from the damaged property as well as human loss.
As such, there is a need for homeowners to be aware of what needs to be done so they can have a better chance of being prepared if a hurricane or tropical storm should strike their home. Part of this is assessing its readiness.
Check The State of Your Roof
Examine your roof every year. Don’t wait until it falls apart before you inspect it.
Your roof might show signs of wear and tear before it collapses. You don’t want it to do that in the middle of a hurricane.
Look for any loose tiles, holes, or cracks in the shingles. If there are any problems with your roof, call your contractor to make repairs.
Review Your Home Insurance Policy
We all know that home insurance can be confusing.
Many people don’t know whether their policy covers water damage or just a roof leak. And we all know that rainstorms can bring huge winds, heavy rains, and even hurricanes.
That’s why it’s so important to review your policy before the next big storm hits. There’s nothing worse than getting your home insurance and finding out that you have no protection at all.
When you do, you need to go over with your agent what you’re covered for. This will help to make a claim and get paid if something goes wrong.
Trim Trees That Could Fall on Your House in a Storm
Trees or branches that fall during a storm can pose a risk to your property, or that of your neighbors since debris can be carried by hurricane-force winds.
Beyond injury, a tree that is too close to your house can kill you. Trim any trees or branches that could potentially fall and cause damage.
Protect Your Doors and Windows
Severe hurricane weather over the last two decades has resulted in ordinances requiring buildings to be built to withstand extreme weather, particularly in Florida and parts of the southeast.
There are some ways to protect your home from the weather. One of the simplest is to add hurricane shutters and impact windows. Hurricane shutters are metal shutters that cover the front and side of your home. They can be made to fit over windows and doors.
Impact windows and doors are constructed to be stronger than regular ones, with reinforced glass and frames. They are designed to resist hurricane-force winds well as debris impact.
Studies show that impact windows can reduce storm damage by as much as 60 percent.
What Type of Weather/Effects is Your Home Likely To Experience?
Do you live in a low-lying area? During and after a hurricane, you might be subject to floods and may want to get sandbags as a precaution or move valuable items to higher ground.
Similarly, if you live on a hill you might be concerned about landslides. Before the hurricane season begins, you can check the strength of any retaining walls on your property.
If you’ve experienced high winds during hurricane weather in the past, you know what are the weak points on important structures like your roof. Examine them and decide how you are going to strengthen them.
You might also want to secure anything in your yard that is liable to become a dangerous projectile to others.
What’s your evacuation plan?
If worse comes to worst, how are you going to get out of your house and get to safety? Are you going alone with your family, or are you going with a group of neighbors?
Do you know where the shelters are if you need them? Have all the necessary supplies you need packed and ready to go
Listen to media updates about the storm and follow evacuation orders if they are given.
Hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage every year. Do you know your state of readiness for a major storm? Let us help you prepare. Call us at 1 305 925 0818.