Did you know that approximately ten tropical storms are developed every year over the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico, out of which at least six storms turn into a hurricane?
And according to one report, hurricanes and other weather-related disasters had caused the US some $136B in damages in 2018-2019.
The enormous power of hurricanes can turn homes into sheer ruins. However, there are ways you can adopt to reduce the possibility of damage, slash the expense of home insurance and save on fixes later using easily accessible home-improvement products.
According to the “Insurance Information Institute,” you should make your house resilient to storms and hurricanes. Invest in things that will solidify your home against any wind damage, like storm shutters, fabric panels, Trosifol glasses, etc. Additionally, they recommend you should have the roof inspected every year by a bonded and licensed contractor to ensure it will withstand strong winds and heavy rains.
Nevertheless, here are five practical and effective ways to strengthen your property from coming hurricanes:
Plywood
Want to get ready for hurricanes? Then get some nails and sheets of plywood. Homeowners usually board up a few days before the hurricane strikes and affix 1/2inch or 5/8inch plywood sheets to their windows.
That’s because plywood is very useful and effective at reducing the effect of hurricane damage. It can also avert damage from high winds, torrential rains, flying debris, and hail storms.
Fabric Panels
Polymer-based hurricane fabric panels provide a trampoline-like cover to your doors and windows and repel airborne debris without giving up visibility in the storm that can help avoid hurricane damage.
These fabric panels are fixed to the sides of doorways and windows with wing nuts, pins or clips, and grommets, making them simple to install.
Hurricane Straps
Many homes are designed to keep the rooftop up and not down. Therefore, to rectify the lateral and upward forces of storms and hurricanes, builders establish hurricane straps, anchor belts, and clips that can help keep the rooftop intact, minimizing the effect of hurricanes.
In a proper setup, hurricane straps firmly fastened to the foundation and walls keep the rooftop tied to your entire house.
Flood Barriers
Although there’s very little that homeowners could do to get ready for the hurricanes’ 21-foot storm gush along the coast, many products are available that can protect residents from small flooding.
For example, sandbags are an effective and affordable option, and many counties and cities provide them for free. However, they’re heavy, and you’ll need hundreds and thousands of bags and plenty of help for making a solid barrier around your home.
Some other barriers that you can use include water-filled tubes, portable walls, expanding bags, etc. that can be deployed quickly in case of a flood.
However, in the event that water does penetrate your home and cause flooding, you can read more here about what action you can take and who to contact for assistance.
Storm Panels
Aluminum shutters and corrugated steel bolted over doors and windows are arguably among the best and most effective ways to secure a house from airborne debris.
The thickness of storm panels varies and are attached to the widows’ exterior using bolts and tracks. When track bolts are placed permanently all over the house, shutters can easily be attached when a hurricane is approaching.
