In an earlier post, we mentioned that weather forecasters predict the 2022 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, will be an explosive one, with 19 storms, and 9 hurricanes, of which 4 are expected to be major hurricanes.
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 on 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.
You are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season peaks.
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.
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 when a storm is on the way, can also help. Our customer sales representative in the Building Materials Department recommends using a 3/4 inch plywood cut to
fit and secure with screws 18 inches apart around the windows.
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.
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 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 homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, and, in
some cases, wind insurance. Homeowner's 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.
Be ready for hurricane season. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season.
#ShopRayneau. If you can't find the type of product you need on our website, just get in touch with us. We may well have the perfect solution for you. If you'd rather have a chat with us, so we can steer you towards the right solution for your needs, give us a call at our hardware stores conveniently located in Corinth 450-7247, Vide Bouteille 450-7246, Monchy 450-7248, or Babonneau 450-5759. You can also follow us on FaceBook