How to Storm-Proof Your Home

Whether you live on the coast or just watch the weather closely, you know that thunderstorm season is just 1 month away. Hurricanes and summer storms tend to descend between June 1st and November 30th, and many of these storms can be damaging to your home. Over the next few weeks, it’s smart to  take these proactive measures to protect your property, especially if you live in a high risk-area for hurricanes or flood zones.

1. Install High Impact Windows or Explore Other Window Proofing Options
Heavy window frames help resist breakage from strong winds, protect against water intrusion, and can lower the cost of insurance premiums. If you would rather not install new windows, consider other proofing options including:

• Film. Adding a film to your windows won’t impact wind resistance, but it will hold the glass together if the window breaks.
• Shutters. Adding storm shutters to the outside of your windows will help block wind and water from getting inside while still allowing in natural sunlight in the event of a power outage.
• Caulking. Caulking around your windows and doors is also helpful. Caulk is a flexible material used to seal air leaks through cracks, gaps, or joints.
  
  

2. Strengthen Your Roof
Roofs can easily be ripped off by strong winds if they are not secure. The strongest material to use for your roof is metal, which can protect against wind gusts up to 140 mph. Architectural shingles are a more cost effective option and stand up to winds as high as 130 mph, but won’t last more than 20-30 years. For added reinforcement, you can use steel hurricane clips to hold the roof to the house. You may also want to invest in an escape hatch for an emergency evacuation in the event of extreme flooding.

3. Reinforce Entry Points
Garage doors are the largest entry to your home, making them an area of high vulnerability during a hurricane. If a garage door is not impact-rated, the heavy winds could remove it from the opening, causing air pressure to build up and potentially blow off the roof. For entry doors, fiberglass is seen as the best material for hurricane resistance. In addition to being impact-tested for wind, fiberglass doors are also better at keeping out rain than wood or steel doors. 

4. Protect + Secure HVAC
A hurricane can easily inflict thousands of dollars of damage on a home’s HVAC system. Use hurricane straps or a protective cage to secure the base; put a trap over the unit to protect it from any loose objects or debris. Remove any foliage, bushes, or loose items from around the unit to prevent impact damage. Consider investing in a backup generator to keep the system running in the event of an outage.

5. Test Your Sump Pumps
Check your sump pump for any failures regularly (every 3-4 months) and keep a backup power source on hand in the event of an emergency. This will ensure you peace of mind during any severe weather.

6. Install Water Alarms
Water alarms are great all-year round, but especially during storm season. They detect areas in the home where water might be excessive. This will prevent the harmful growth of mold or mildew and against potential water damage costs. Water alarms are highly recommended if you have a basement or cellar because water tends to travel down.

7. Consider Purchasing Gas Lighting
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, gas lights, such as outdoor lanterns, can be beneficial during power outages as they do not run on electricity, and they provide more light than candles. However, these lights are more expensive to maintain than standard electric lights, and they cannot be placed in small areas for safety reasons.