Emergency ABC - Battening Down the Hatches - There's a Hurricane Coming

Battening Down the Hatches - There's a Hurricane Coming

If you want to save your home from a great deal of damage during a hurricane, experts say you have to prepare the home for strong winds. The areas where wind can enter your home are the most crucial areas to pay attention to when retrofitting your home for a hurricane. By reinforcing certain areas of the exterior, you can strengthen it and reduce wind and debris damage. It will also prevent large areas of your home to be torn away. Most of these options should be planned far before a hurricane warning is in effect, so go ahead and start planning today!

Experts will tell you that there are several main areas you should concentrate upon when trying to reinforce your home. The roof is a great place to start. If you have a gabled roof, then you certainly need to make sure your gable end

walls are reinforced. You can easily do this by using truss bracing. Contact your local housing or building office for your city to get more information on securing your roof structure. Another thing to pay attention to is your roof's shingle system. It is likely the shingles on your roof are not strong enough for a hurricane. You can always use quick drying cement glue to strengthen their bond to your roof.

Another area to tend to is the glass in your home. All windows and glass areas should be covered when a hurricane is expected. You can install impact-resistance shutters for windows and doors. These are perfect for protecting your windows and doors and are also great for protecting your home from debris. You can also get windows that are made of plastic bonded to glass. These are great and are being installed in many new homes. To make sure your shutters work for the storm, be sure you are installing and securing them correctly. If you don't, they may not be any better than having nothing at all.

Doors are another area to think about when planning for a hurricane. If you have solid wood or hollow metal doors, they will probably be fine through the storm. Any other doors however should be reinforced. You can always visit your local tool shop and purchase head and foot bolts on the inactive door if you have double-entry doors. This will help make them stronger. You can also make sure your door is equipped with a dead bolt system and make sure your hinges are tight and secure. If you still think your door is not strong enough, you should put a new door on your list of priorities.

You can always ask the experts at your local home improvement stores for advice on other ways to weatherproof your home in case of a hurricane. They will be able to instruct you on what items you will need and the process of using them. You may even be able to hire local workers to do the work for you, if you desire a more professional approach to the project.

Again, these safety precautions are those that should be thought of well in advance of a hurricane warning. If you wait until the last possible moment to go purchase items you need for these tasks, chances are the stores will have already sold out. So, each season be sure to check these items and restock as necessary. It will help you feel more confident and secure if a hurricane warning occurs. Instead of rushing around frantically like other neighbors, you can get your things in order and sit calmly to wait for the storm.

Remember, protecting your home not only saves your possessions, but it can also save you. By reinforcing the building in which you dwell, you are ensuring that you will be as protected from the storm as possible. This is the main reason reinforcing your home is so important. You should always have these items up to date or handy if you live in a hurricane prominent area. By being responsible with your home and your protection, you will be less afraid of these horrible storms. So, check these areas of your home yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you. No matter what, be sure to have these things complete well before the next "hurricane season" arrives.

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