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Prepare Your Home For The Storm |
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We all know how bad the weather can be with a passing line of thunderstorms. But, now imagine, for those of you that have never lived through a hurricane, 10 times that, or even 100 times that!
Protecting your home is the best pratice you can take prior to the beginning of the hurricane season. There are many things you can do, even for mobile home owners. So let's look at some of the options we have available, and let's get our tools together. |
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In and Around Your Home
Inspect your window and door seals, inside and outside. If needed, place a bead of caulk around your windows or doors to keep blowing rain from penetrating your exterior openings.
Inspect your roof tiles and replace any that need replacing.
Inspect your roof straps inside your attic or crawl space. Adding hurricane straps strengthens your roof. You can also use some liquid steel running abead along the rafters and the plywood sheets to help strengthen your roof more.
Remember, this is best down when it's cooler outside due to the extreme temperatures that can build inside an attic during the heating of the day. Also, make sure you have a buddy to help you.
Do you have exhaust fans in your bathroom or kitchen? If you do, look at how you can cover these openings so the wind can't blow rain into your home.
Test your generator. If you don't own one, how will you have electricity after the storm to run a refrigerator, tv, radio? Make sure your generator is maintained running correctly.
Outside Your Home
During The Off-Season:
Now is the time to consider how you will protect your windows and garage door. When a hurricane is approaching, this is one of the first items to leave the shelves. If you use plywood for your windows, you can cover the plywood with a enamel paint to help protect it from moisture and warpage when stored. Look to see if you can use PlyLox Hurricane Window Clips with your plywood. It's simple, and easy to install, and remove.
If you plan on having shutters installed. Now is the time to consider having this done. Many Shutter Companies get a backlog of installations as we get closer to and in the beginning of the hurricane season. Just prior to the storm is not the time to call a company to install shutters.
You can also purchase shutters at your local home improvement centers.
Trim trees and landscaping now before the hurricane season. DO NOT trim if a storm is approaching - loose trimmings become flying debris.
Prior to the storm:
When a Watch is issued
Bring in objects that may become dangerous projectiles: lawn furniture, potted plants, grills, toys, pet shelters, garbage cans, sprinklers, hoses and pool equipment. Ask neighbors to do the same.
Turn off propane gas valves. Bring smaller gas tanks into the garage - NOT inside our home.
Unplug TV antennas/satellite dishes - store in garage. If you don't have a garage, an indoor utility room or utility closet will do.
Cover or brace all windows and door openings using hurricane shutters or plywood panels with heavy bolts or PlyLox Hurricane Window Clips. Install a garage door bracing kit. When winds get inside your house, internal air pressure builds and may cause the roof or walls to explode.
Repair or replace cracked or missing roof tiles and loose asphalt shingles. Install caps over any vent pipes and remove the turbine and cap the hole.
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For Mobile Home Residents:
You can do many of the items above, including covering your windows.
Before the season, inspect your tie-downs, make sure they are in place and not damaged.
Prior to the Storm
Turn off the water supply and Turn off the electricity where it enters the home.
Make sure all gas is off at the tank, do not disconnect.
Most importantly - EVACUATE when notified - NEVER remain in a mobile home during any tropical storm or hurricane.
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