Hurrican Preparation
5 Tips Home Edition: Getting your home ready for hurricane season may be the most important housework you do.
Preparing our houses for the worst may be the best investment we can make.
1. Secure your garage
Many garage doors are made of lightweight materials to conserve weight and expense which makes them vulnerable to high winds. Hurricane damage can enter through garage doors and cause damage.
Look for a sticker on the inside of your garage door that gives you a pressure rating. If you don't see a sticker, chances are you'll need to reinforce your doors.
Resistant garage doors are available and can be a little on the expensive side . An inexpensive way of reinforcing your garage is to use plywood or steel.
2. Reinforce your windows
Forget about taping your windows. It's a waste of time. If you live in a hurricane or storm-prone area, you may want to think about installing impact resistant windows.
These windows are designed to withstand flying debris. But keep in mind, you'll be paying for the extra protection. Impact resistant windows may cost twice as much as regular windows. These windows are designed to withstand the impact of a standard missile traveling at 34 mph.
If you don't live in an area that has a lot of hurricanes, you may think about investing in storm shutters. For the best shutter protection, install permanent shutters that carry the Miami-Dade building code approval. This is the highest standard a product can carry, according to Tim Reinhold of the Institute for Building and Home Safety.
Storm shutters can cost $50 to $60 per square foot of window. You can use plywood shutters. According to the Red Cross, these shutters can offer a high level of protection if you install them properly. But make sure the plywood is at least 3/4 inch thick.
Shutters come in a variety of styles including accordion shutters, aluminum shutters and rollup shutters. For more information on types of shutters available and how much it may cost you, check out www.flash.org.
3. Watch your grading
Soil should slope away from your house. After the first four feet of your home's perimeter, the ground should slope down about six inches. If your grading needs improvement, use clean fill dirt, not top soil, to build up a slope around your house. Top soil is organic and will hold water against your home's foundation.
To get clean fill dirt, consider calling a landscape supplier. Once you've finished your slope, you can finish with a layer of top soil and grass seed to prevent erosion. Or, just use stone or mulch.
4. Check your trees
Every year falling trees and tree limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage as well as personal injuries and deaths. Homeowners are the first line of defense against problem trees.
You'll need to check regularly for signs of damage or disease including cracks in the trunk or major limbs, insect infestations, trees that look one-sided or that lean significantly, branches hanging over the house or near the roof, limbs in contact with power lines or mushrooms growing from the bark signaling decay
5. Secure your stuff
If you have furniture and other outdoor equipment on your patio or deck, bring them inside when strong weather threatens. Don't forget trash cans, grills, toys, and potted plants. Keep them from becoming flying objects that can cause additional injury or damage during storms with high winds.
Smith & Associates, Inc.
2316 W. 23rd Street
Panama City, FL 32405
Toll Free (800) 728-0853
Direct (850) 769-5286
Beach Office
Smith & Associates, Inc.
13510 Hutchison Blvd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Toll Free (800) 616-3351
Direct (850) 230-2350
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