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Weathering the Storm: 4 Important Ways to Protect Your Home From Hurricanes and Severe Storms
December 06, 2010
For hurricane-prone parts of the U.S., severe storm season can be a genuine source of anxiety and concern. As storms of varying degrees travel through the country, you may feel more secure by taking some basic precautions and taking time to prepare in advance for severe weather. Follow these important steps to prepare your home from hurricane season storms.
Secure the roof, walls, and foundation of your home.
A sturdy roof is your home's first line of defense against a storm. Even roofs with a lot of life left in them can benefit from hurricane straps or clips to secure the roof-to-wall connection. Anchoring the roof in this way means it will be more resistant to high-pressure winds and can greatly help hold your roof together during a serious storm. Hurricane clips or straps should be secured to every rafter-to-wall connection. Professional roofers can perform this service if a homeowner doesn't feel comfortable with the do-it-yourself method.
Just as the roof benefits from being secured, so do all the "joints" in your home--namely, the wall-to-wall and wall-to-foundation joints. Straps or clips can be used to secure two floors of a home together, and wall-to-foundation connections can be secured with anchor bolts.
Protect your home's windows and doors.
Exterior doors and windows are particularly vulnerable during a high-wind storm and can be easily penetrated by winds and debris. Once breached, debris and water can enter the home, causing serious damage. Even more severe damage can occur when high winds enter the home. High-pressure winds inside the home can combine with extreme winds on the home's exterior to cause critical damage such as roof or wall collapse. You can protect your home's vulnerable openings by installing storm doors, impact-resistant windows, or storm coverings for windows and doors.
Keep trees trimmed.
All trees on your property should be trimmed regularly to prevent damage during a storm. Overgrown tree limbs can pose a threat to your car, home, and especially roof. Any tree limbs growing near your home's roof should be paid particularly close attention and trimmed on a regular basis.
Store all outside moveable objects.
As soon as you hear news that a storm is on its way, remove any lawn furniture or other objects that could do damage to your property at high speeds.
For more information on on storm preparadness, including how to plan for yourself and your family in case of emergency, visit The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes or the National Hurricane Center online.
