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How to Hurricane Proof Your Home
4 minute read • Last update October 2024
Learning how to prepare your house for a hurricane is essential to mitigate the potential damage caused by gale-force winds, flying debris, and heavy rain. In this quick guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how to hurricane-proof your home.
However, it must be noted that these solutions can not 100% guarantee that your house will not experience damage during a hurricane. The stronger the storm, the more likely damage will occur and actions taken to prevent that damage will become less effective. There’s simply no silver bullet solution to a battle with Mother Nature.
1. Secure your roof
Hurricane straps, also known as hurricane ties or hurricane clips, can strengthen the structural integrity of your home by securing the roof to the walls. These straps can help prevent your roof from lifting off of your home.
Other options to secure your roof include impact-resistant shingles or reinforcing roof sheathing with an extra-strong adhesive.
2. Install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows
Aluminum or steel shutters for your windows and doors can provide extra protection for the entryways to your home. They are particularly useful for windows by helping to prevent broken glass from spreading throughout your home.
An alternative or additional safety measure would be to replace your windows with those made of impact-resistant glass.
If neither storm shutters nor impact-resistant glass are an option, due to financial or time constraints, your next best option is to board up your doors and windows with plywood panels.
3. Strengthen entry doors
There are several ways to strengthen your exterior-facing doors. First, you can use longer screws or brackets to better secure the door frame to the structure of your house.
Additionally, you can install heavy-duty hinges and deadbolt locks.
Finally, ensure your garage door is hurricane-rated, or retrofit older doors with horizontal braces like storm bars.
4. Protect outdoor spaces
While learning how to hurricane-proof windows and doors is essential, these are by no means the only hazards around your home during hurricane season. Keeping a well-maintained yard is also a necessity. Start by removing all lawn furniture, garden tools, and other items that could become flying objects in high winds. Store them securely indoors and cover sharp items with plastic sheeting, just in case. It’s also a good idea to trim trees and shrubs to eliminate weak branches that may snap off and cause damage.
If you have a pool, rather than tying down your plastic or metal outdoor furniture, you could sink it to the bottom of the pool to prevent it from being blown away.
5. Seal openings and gaps
To prevent water infiltration and damage, you can apply caulk to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other exterior openings. Take a tour through the house to ensure that all vents are properly covered or sealed.
6. Install a backup power source
Learning how to prepare your home for a hurricane includes having solutions ready for every eventuality. Severe hurricane damage could mean extended power outages. So, it’s a smart idea to buy a backup generator and enough gas/fuel/ propane tanks to power your property until regular service resumes. Familiarize yourself with safe operation best practices to avoid hazards like carbon monoxide poisoning.
7. Protect against flooding
Flooding can be a significant risk, particularly if you live in a low-lying area. Here are some basic flood preparation ideas for how to protect your house from a hurricane:
- Elevate electrical appliances, utilities, and important equipment.
- Have sandbags ready to redirect water away from your home’s foundation.
- Install a sump pump in the basements to manage excess water and prevent flood damage.
If you still have power, you should close the shut-off valves at the first sign of flooding, as electricity and water do not mix, and could put your family and pets at risk of electrocution.
8. Review your home insurance coverage
No matter how much effort you put into learning how to hurricane-proof your home, some damage may be inevitable. Therefore, having adequate home insurance is vital if you’re to get back on your feet as soon as possible after a storm. Here’s a quick list of best practices:
- Check whether your policy covers flood insurance and hurricane damage, as many standard policies do not.
- If you live in a high-risk area, consider adding supplemental coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Familiarize yourself with your coverage details, including the deductible amount and waiting period.
By understanding your coverage and ensuring it meets your needs, you can safeguard your financial well-being and facilitate a smoother recovery.
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
A crucial aspect of hurricane preparation that is often overlooked is your electricity plan. Power outages are common during hurricanes, and being without power for an extended period can make recovery even more challenging. That’s why having an electricity plan designed to support you during these situations is essential.
Our Bluebonnet plan is specifically tailored to offer competitive rates and Premier+ benefits, ensuring that when the storm passes and power is restored, you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
By securing the right electricity plan now, you’ll be ready for any storm that comes your way, minimizing disruptions and helping to keep your home as comfortable as possible during hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is on the horizon! Enroll today to explore your options and find the best plan for your family’s needs.
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