Hurricanes are powerful and destructive forces of nature. Every year, homes across the country are damaged or destroyed by these storms, and homeowners hire hurricane insurance lawyers like The Professional Law Group to claim their insurance.
To better protect your home from hurricane damage, here are expert tips from experienced professionals in the field of storm protection.
- Install Storm Shutters
Storm shutters can act as an additional layer of defense against the powerful winds and debris associated with storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
They also help to deter intruders from breaking into your home in the event of emergency evacuations.
For added protection, ensure that your storm shutters are rated according to local building codes and are made of strong yet lightweight materials.
- Secure Outdoor Furniture
Make sure that any outdoor furniture is securely fastened to the ground or stored away in a garage or shed during a hurricane.
Unsecured furniture can become dangerous projectiles when wind speeds increase, causing damage not only to your property but also to nearby homes and businesses.
- Clear Clogged Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause water to back up into your roof, leading to serious water damage inside the home if left untreated before a storm hits.
Make sure that all of your gutters are free of debris and other obstructions so that they can quickly drain away rainwater during a storm.
- Protect Pipes from Freezing Temperatures
If you live in an area where hurricanes bring cold weather with them, make sure that all exposed pipes are insulated properly so that they don’t freeze and burst during the storm.
This can help prevent costly water damage repair bills down the line which you definitely don’t need.
- Trim Trees Near Your House
Trees with dead branches or overgrown branches should be trimmed regularly to reduce potential wind-related damages during hurricane season.
If possible, remove any large trees located close to your house, as they can become uprooted during high winds and cause serious structural damage if they fall on the building itself or nearby properties.
- Install Window Films
Window films can help keep shattered glass together in the event of broken windows due to hurricane-force winds and flying debris, reducing the chance of injury or further property damage inside the home itself.
- Reinforce Garage Doors
Garage doors should be reinforced with heavy-duty materials such as steel bars or plywood sheets before hurricane season begins in order to protect against any potential flooding caused by heavy rains associated with these storms.
- Check Sump Pumps
Sump pumps should be checked regularly throughout hurricane season and replaced if necessary in order to ensure proper drainage around the foundation of your property during heavy rainfall events associated with these storms.
- Anchor Light Objects
Light objects such as planters and patio furniture should be securely anchored down outside of your property in order to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles blowing around freely outside due to high winds associated with hurricanes.
- Elevate Electrical Components
Electrical components such as fuse boxes, outlets, and meters should be elevated at least two feet above ground level in order to protect them from potential flooding damages caused by rising waters associated with hurricanes!
Conclusion
With these expert tips for protecting your home against hurricane damage, you will have taken important steps toward making sure that you stay safe and protected this hurricane season.
Proper preparation is key when it comes to protecting yourself and your family from potentially catastrophic natural disasters like hurricanes.
However, it is just as important that you heed all warnings issued by local emergency management personnel prior to any major storms hitting your area this year.
You can also click here if you need the help of hurricane insurance lawyers.
