Now that the start of the hurricane season is only 14 days away,I know that preparedness is key to weathering the storm safely. What
can I do to protect my home from possible storm damage?
In our last post we mentioned that weather forecasters
predict the 2017 hurricane season, which
runs from June 1 through November 30, would be below average with 11 storms,
four hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. But
we must inform you that the forecasters have no idea where the storms/hurricanes
will make landfall. Also take note of the fact that it takes only one storm to wreak
havoc to your home. Making sure that your property is as safe as possible
includes making sure that you take precautions both inside and outside your
home.
Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd (RCIP)
offers the following hurricane-preparation advice based on its experience
assisting hurricane affected victims’ purchases of certain building materials. We know which strategies really work -- and which don’t.
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| Hurricane straps |
Protect your roof:
If you have a gabled roof, you'll want to strengthen the gabled end walls, as they can take a tremendous beating during a storm. Consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is bolted to the rest of your house. And inspect your galvanize, roof tiles or shingles to make sure they are secure. Use roofing cement to fix any loose tiles to prevent them from becoming lethal projectiles during a storm and damaging the underlying roofing material. Seal any areas where wires enter the home, minimizing the chance of water damage during heavy wind and rain.
If you have a gabled roof, you'll want to strengthen the gabled end walls, as they can take a tremendous beating during a storm. Consider hurricane straps to ensure your roof is bolted to the rest of your house. And inspect your galvanize, roof tiles or shingles to make sure they are secure. Use roofing cement to fix any loose tiles to prevent them from becoming lethal projectiles during a storm and damaging the underlying roofing material. Seal any areas where wires enter the home, minimizing the chance of water damage during heavy wind and rain.
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| Boarding up a window with plywood |
Secure Doors and windows:
If your home is in danger of being hit by a
hurricane, protecting windows and sliding glass doors is amongst the most
important measures to take to shield your house from extensive damage. Broken
windows can let in wind and rain, and they can also increase the pressure under
the roof. If this happens, the walls collapse and the house is lost.
Storm shutters provide the best protection, but
boarding up windows with plywood (checkout our new discounted prices) when a storm is on the way, can also help.Our
CSRs in our Building Materials Department recommend using 3/4 inch plywood cut
to fit and securing with screws 18 inches apart around the window.
It is also
important to find someone who will install the covers if you are unable to put
them up yourself. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides
of the home -- not just the one facing the body of water where hurricanes could
form -- because hurricanes can swirl in any direction.
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| Tree Damage |
Trim Trees:
Not all damage occurring during a storm is a
result of high winds alone. Property damage can also be a result of falling
trees and flying landscape debris. Make sure that there are not any dead
sections on your trees threatening the home or a neighbour’s. High winds and
heavy rain can wreak havoc on weak and stressed trees, causing branches to snap
or trees to uproot. Too often, we think
of hurricane preparation solely in terms of stocking up on food stuffs, and bottled
water. If overhanging trees are trimmed in anticipation of the heavy winds, the
damage and the clean-up would be much easier. Are your trees ready
for the next storm?
Make Sure You're Covered:
Make sure you have the right amount of insurance,
and fill in a few key gaps in coverage.
In order to safeguard your home's value, you
should make sure that you have homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and, in
some cases, wind insurance.
Homeowners insurance usually covers wind damage
and other hurricane-related losses. In some cases it is also possible to insure
the house contents as well. Talk to your insurance broker about your needs.
To make sure that you get the most protection out
of your policy, you should be sure to take inventory of and document your
belongings and property before the onset of a storm.
Visit or call us at 450-7247 now for more details on our wide range of products to secure your home before a hurricane season starts.
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