How to Reduce Hurricane Damage
Reinforcing Your Home
During a hurricane, the integrity of windows, doors and roofs are a primary concern.
Many people wait until a hurricane watch is issued before racing to their local lumber yard for plywood. Often, this is too late. Plywood tacked across windows improperly can be ripped off by hurricane force winds, becoming dangerous projectiles themselves. Professionally installed shutters are recommended, but with enough foresight adequate plywood shutters can be constructed ahead of time.
The American Plywood Association provides a number of shutter designs on their website. The PDF file can be down loaded free of charge. As a general rule you will need exterior grade plywood measuring at least �¾ of an inch thick and heavy duty barrel bolts (3-4 inches long) drilled no more than 18 inches apart. Making your purchases before a storm watch has been issued will allow you to locate the proper supplies, while pre-drilling holes will ensure you have the time to do the job right.
While you’re securing your windows, check the garage door. If it’s not hurricane resistant, strong winds can force it out of its track. To help withstand hurricane force winds, your garage door should have a center support, end supports, and 2×4 horizontal bracings. If not, you can purchase a garage door retro fit kit.
Unless your front door is protected by a shutter system, Make sure your exterior door has a minimum of three hinges and a dead bolt with at least a 1″ throw length. If you have a double door, make sure the inactive door has both a head bolt and a foot bolt, securing it into door frame and the floor.
Fifty to seventy percent of hurricane damage is directly related to roof failure. It’s important to secure it against uplift and leaks which could damage its integrity.
Hurricane straps are joints of galvanized steel that are used to reinforce the connection between the roofing frame and the wall stud. New homes constructed in hurricane zones often include hurricane straps, so check your blue prints. Installing hurricane straps will require a professional roofer and will be expensive, but not as expensive as replacing your whole roof, or the entire contents of your home should your roof fail.
High speed winds not only cause uplift, but can drive rain under shingles and tiles. Make sure the supporting structure is protected from water damage with a water resistant seal. There are a number of products that can help keep your roof dry, creating a waterproof barrier with liquid rubber, a ceramic flex coat, or special waterproof foam. Generally these products will come with a 5-10 year guarantee when applied by trained professionals. You can also use wood adhesive and a caulking gun and lay a �¼ inch bead where the roof deck attaches to the roof supports.
Eliminating Flying debris
Along with reinforcing your home, you should work on eliminating flying debris. This entails more than bringing in garbage cans and patio furniture once a hurricane watch has been issued. It requires purposeful planning and continual maintenance of your property.
Fencing is often ripped out of the ground by hurricane force winds, and can cause major injuries and extensive property damage. For this reason, many hurricane prone areas have developed strict fencing codes. It’s important to build to these specifications. If your fence was built before 2001, you should check with your local municipalities for their new guidelines; an upgrade might be in your best interest.
No matter how old your fence is, check it periodically for loose support poles, sagging chain links, or loose boards. When building a wooden fence, it’s a good idea to leave space between the ground and the bottom of the fence to allow for air flow. Wind resistance could cause to fence to topple.
You should also be selective about planting trees and shrubs. Go with slow growing trees with deep root systems. Plating in small groves will give them more wind resistance. Small trees and shrubs near the house will help create a wind barrier, but keep larger trees at a distance.
Do not add compost or rich soil when planting new trees. Their root system may not develop properly. Keeping young trees staked down to tightly or longer than necessary can create a weak root system. As trees grow, makes sure you prone small branches that clutter the center and avoid nitrogen rich fertilizer that promotes excessive leaf growth. Both create wind resistance and can collect water, making trees top heavy during a storm.
Finally, remove any hallow diseased, weak, or leaning trees. But don’t wait for a hurricane watch to be issued. This is generally when public services are suspended and you don’t want to get stuck with a pile of landscaping debris.
Through planning and preparation, home owners can reduce damage to their home during the hurricane season and avoid costly and inconvenient repairs.
