According to a report by researchers from Colorado State University, the United States is expected to have five major hurricanes before the year ends. Many of these hurricanes affect the southern and eastern parts of the country.
People living in these areas should invest in protecting their homes from severe storms. Without proper preparation, you could be exposing your home to massive damage that will cost you a lot to repair. If you want to preserve your home and keep your family safe, you need to know the best ways to storm-proof your property. Here are a few tips you might want to check out.
1. Keep your landscaping clear
Trees and other vegetation are guaranteed to increase curb appeal, but these can pose a hazard when the wind starts to pick up. Dead or weak trees can easily be uprooted by high winds, so you may need to remove them from your landscaping once hurricane season nears.
Apart from that, you should also cut the overhanging branches of healthy trees which can produce debris that will damage your roof. Rotting leaves can also clog up your gutters and cause water leaks, so make sure to clear them of any debris.
2. Invest in window shutters
Before a hurricane crosses your hometown, you are advised to seal your windows using plywood boards. However, this can be time-consuming and tedious as you will need to secure all the windows around your property.
If you are in a storm-prone region, consider installing hurricane shutters. Usually made from durable material, hurricane shutters are easy to use but cost a lot to install. Then again, if you want to give your home extra protection, that extra expense should be worth your while.
3. Secure your roof
During a hurricane, your main concern would be your roofing system. Outdated or under-maintained roofs are highly vulnerable to serious damage and strong winds can also rip them off of your home. Checking whether your roofing system is in good condition would help you identify and repair damaged sections or determine if you need to replace the roofing altogether.
You may want to switch to metal roofing since it demonstrates greater wind resistance compared to other types of roofing materials. In case a total replacement is too costly for you, consider reinforcing your roofing system by adding hurricane clips. If they don’t work and your roof gets blown away, you should know how to negotiate roof replacement with insurance and get a good reimbursement package.
4. Get a good homeowner’s insurance policy
No amount of preparation is ever enough to protect your home from the effects of a severe storm. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go beyond the bare minimum in preventing hurricane damage. You just need to give yourself and your family peace of mind if a hurricane does cause major damage to your property.
For that, you will need to get a good homeowner’s insurance policy. You may be required to get one with flood insurance coverage if you are living in flood-prone areas, so take your time looking for an insurance provider that matches your needs.
Hurricanes are a major headache for homeowners, but there are ways that can help them minimize the damage to their property and recover after the weather clears.
