Tropical storms are common in some parts of the United States. The amount of hurricane activity has increased during the past couple of decades. During such storms, homes are heavily affected by wind damage or destroyed by high winds. According to the hurricane forecasters, we need to take preventative steps to get ready for any probable effects of extreme weather. With that in mind, listed below are some tips that homeowners can take to protect their house through stormy weather and lower the probability of devastating impacts.
Repair What Is Broken
Maintain your home and repair things like loose fence boards or roof shingles to avoid greater and more expensive damage. The cost of repairs is guaranteed to be cheaper than repairing the damage after the storm. According to experts, the wind force during a storm can cause weak places in your home to fail. Therefore, it is essential to make sure your house is solid strong.
As experts advise, there are things you can do to make your home stronger. Check the roof, windows, doors, and garage doors as these are the most crucial (vulnerable) parts of the house during a storm. If you have a lot of time before a storm, assess whether there is anything that needs to be repaired and try to make temporary repairs to keep the broken pieces from falling off and flying away.
Secure and Clear Outdoor Items
Outdoor items such as patio furniture, garbage bins, sports equipment, gardening tools, and others have the potential to become dangerous projectiles in a wind gust. Before a storm, it is advisable to go around your house and bring some of these items inside or tie them up so they don’t blow away. And don’t forget to bring your pets indoors. Not only these things can hit your window, but also cause serious injury to a person. Just make sure all your windows and doors are closed. Also, make sure to park your car or vehicle away from trees, power lines, and streetlights. If you have a garage, make use of it.
Check Shrubs and Trees
High winds and loose branches are a terrible mix. Keep shrubs and trees in good condition and trim dead trees before they cause damage. If you’re not comfortable trimming on your own, hire a specialist. Then, before a storm, cut back any damaged branches. But be careful: if those branches touch any power lines, you could get electrocuted. Take time to examine the trees in your yard as storms will often snap large tree branches.
It can leads to damage to your home’s siding, smash your car, or even topple power lines. If a tree has a loose connection with a big branch, consider sawing it off.
