With Hurricane Ian on the horizon for many of us in the Southeast United States, it’s important to go over how you can be prepared in the case of a hurricane. So, we’ve rounded up five ways you can hurricane proof your home in order to protect yourself and your loved ones amidst the most dangerous storms.
Close Any Home Openings
Tropical storms and hurricanes can easily take down your standard doors, garage doors, and windows between the high wind, water surges, and debris. To protect the outside of your home, we suggest installing defense-like shutters and screens to provide another layer of protection.
Depending on what your aesthetic goals are, here are some shutter and screen options for your home:
Accordion Storm Shutters
These shutters stack beside the opening when not in use and unfold accordion-style to cover and protect during a storm. The average preparation time is 15 to 30 minutes for the entire house. To learn more about Accordion Storm Shutters, click here.
Rolling Storm Shutters
Also known as “roll-away” shutters, these are permanently installed and rolled away when not in use. The average preparation time for these is just a few minutes for an entire house. To learn more about Rolling Storm Shutters, click here.
Colonial Shutters
Colonial shutters offer a decorative colonial style as well as hurricane-grade protection. They are side hinged and stacked on both sides of the window, and can be closed and latched with locking brackets before a storm approaches. To learn more about Colonial Shutters, click here.
Bahama Storm Shutters
Bahama storm shutters offer permanent shade protection as well as excellent storm protection. These charming shutters are permanently mounted above each window opening at a 45-degree angle allowing privacy while offering full sight views. To learn more about Bahama Storm Shutters, click here.
Storm Panels
One of the best ways to minimize damage to your home during a hurricane is to cover your windows and doors with storm panels or shutters. There are many types available, but all require advance planning so they’re ready to go when a storm is heading your way. To learn more about Storm Panels, click here.
Clear Any Outdoor Trash
Keeping your yard free of branches, limbs, and other debris is extremely important in the event of a storm so that the wind doesn’t pick debris up and throw it onto the house. Any loose outdoor items need a secure, closed-in place when you’re in the path of a storm.
Reinforce Your Roof
This rule takes a bit more time, but is arguably one of the most important – having a strong and durable roof is a top priority when it comes to storm protection. If your roof is more than 15 years old, it’s a good idea to evaluate its durability and determine whether it needs any sort of reinforcements. Speaking to a roofing specialist is a good idea so that they know the specific type of reinforcement, which can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Clean Out Your Gutter
Keeping your gutter clear of leaves and debris keeps the rain flowing where it should go, rather than getting clogged and causing flooding issues in your roof and/or attic. Regular gutter maintenance can be detrimental in whether you have a small or large amount of storm damage.
Triple Check Your Power Source
If your home is affected (directly or indirectly) by a storm, there’s a good probability that you will lose power at some point. If you remain at your home during these storms, having a backup power source can come in extremely handy. If a whole-home generator is out of your budget, having a small back-up generator can keep your essentials running in the meantime.
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All of these things together can bring peace of mind that if a storm happens to come your way, you and your family are prepared to be as safe as possible. Protecting your biggest investment is our top priority, and we will do anything to ensure our community’s safety.
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