If you live in an area of the United States that may be affected by hurricanes, preparing for hurricane season is an important part of your year. Without sufficient preparation, your home may be vulnerable.
Hurricanes seem to be getting worse each year, so preparations are even more important this year than ever before. Here are some things to keep in mind to help keep your home prepared.
Get Necessary Roof Repairs
Hurricane-force winds can be devastating for your roof, and the torrential rain that typically comes with these storms means that any damage to your roof can also have severe consequences for the rest of your house.
Any weak spots in your roof make it much more likely that the damage will be bad. Loose shingles or places where the roof does not connect snuggly to your home provide a gap where the wind can seep in and lift up the shingles or entire sections of the roof, creating the potential for serious damage. Whether you live in Miami, New Orleans, or Houston, roof repairs are an essential element of preparing for hurricane season.
Have Your Trees Trimmed or Removed
Falling trees and limbs are one of the most serious causes of damage during a hurricane. An uprooted tree can smash cars or break through your roof.
Broken limbs can fall long after the storm has passed, potentially injuring your property or family. Some types of trees are at a much greater risk of falling under the stress of a hurricane than others. Certain trees have a greater tendency to drop branches.
Have an arborist assess the trees on your property to see which should be trimmed and which should be removed to avoid damage during a hurricane.
Get Shutters Installed or Repaired
Shutters can prevent many catastrophes including debris smashing your windows and rain shooting through your house during severe storms. If your shutters came with your home, it is well worth having them evaluated to determine whether they are really strong enough to hold up to intense wind and rain.
If you don’t have shutters, they are investments well worth making. Depending on your home, you may be able to get away with plywood nailed over the windows, but it may also be worth getting shutters that are easier to close in case a storm is coming quickly and you don’t have a lot of time to prepare.
Get Your Home Equipped for Hurricane Season
If you live in a part of the country where hurricanes are a serious threat, preparing your home for hurricane season should always be a top priority. The right preparations now make it much less likely that you’ll experience serious damage to your home during a storm.