Florida is notorious for its hurricanes, and damage to your home is among the most devastating ways it could hit. Although the sunshine state has been quite lucky recently, this is not enough reason to risk unpreparedness. Just one hurricane is sufficient to cause irreparable damage.
Getting ready for the storms may seem like a tough process, but it is completely worth it. This article contains salient tips on how to prepare your Florida home for hurricane season.
Secure your House
Previously, Florida residents would secure their homes by boarding up their windows, but they soon found it to offer little protection. It was discovered that the better way to prepare your home is with window shutters. Ensure they are impact-resistant so that debris flying at great speeds would not get in.
Aside from windows, you want to prepare your home by ensuring your doors are reinforced. Installing a bolt kit from a hardware store is a quick and easy way to secure the top and bottom of doors. Keeping wind out of your house is critical. A small opening is enough for winds to get through and destroy the house from inside out.
Protect your Roof
First, you must double-check that the condition of your roof is great. Replace any peeling or worn out shingles. When inspecting gable ends, look carefully to find out if your roof trusses need replacement. Strapless roofs are risky in hurricane-prone areas, and metal roof straps would be a welcome installation.
It would be disastrous to have your roof fly off in a storm since it protects all your possessions. A wise move would be to upgrade to impact-resistant roofing with special shingles, provided it is affordable to you. They cost 10 – 20% more than regular shingles, but they could lower your total homeowners’ insurance premium.
Guard your Garage
Garages are particularly vulnerable during hurricanes because their doors are typically flimsy. Reinforcing them on the inside to prevent them from blowing in is an excellent move. Another option is installing horizontal beams as an additional defense. The more expensive alternative is switching your old door for a new, impact-resistant alternative.
Basement Adjustments
Provided your house is not prone to flooding, the basement is a great place to weather a hurricane in Florida. If it is below the rest of the house and in a flood-prone area, you need to prepare your home with basement adjustments.
During hurricanes, the wind can pull a house from its foundation, but that is not the only worry. Storm surges carry along with flooding. To protect valuables, place them in tightly-sealed, waterproof containers that are easily identifiable. A sump pump installation is another simple precautionary measure.
Prepare Yourself
If you intend to ride a storm or evacuate, there are ways to prepare. Get together water, medicine, a first-aid kit, and non-perishable food items. Keep phone chargers, battery-powered radios, lanterns, and other necessities handy. Consider investing in a generator because even if the hurricane does not last, a power outage could.