There are all sorts of perks that come with living in the Carolinas. You have close proximity to both the beach and the mountains, there are great breweries and wineries, you can watch legendary sports teams, and there are thriving arts and foodie communities. With all of these benefits, however, come a few negatives.
One of the main cons of Carolina living, especially on the coast, is that you run the risk of the occasional direct hit from a hurricane. If you’re worried about how your house will fare during the next big storm, this guide will help you prepare. The next few paragraphs each feature a tip that will get your home hurricane-ready. Best of luck to you and your family as you take steps to stay safe and sound!
- Use straps on your roof – Strapping down your roof is the best way to lessen potential roof damage and, maybe, keep your roof from blowing off of your house, protecting the contents inside. Products called “hurricane straps” or “hurricane clips” can be used to secure your roof to your home’s frame. If you’ve never taken hurricane precaution steps before, make sure you have a professional assist you with this task, as it can be challenging and you don’t want to risk any mistakes.
- Put storm shutters or boards over windows – Investing in storm shutters or nailing marine plywood boards over your home’s windows is a good way to protect them from shattering. Depending on the severity of the storm, some glass may still crack or break, but this precautionary measure will minimize any damage. It is also a good idea to cover any glass doors, such as patio sliding doors, with large sheets of plywood.
- Re-caulk every window and door – Although you might not have noticed any gaps in the caulk on your windows and doors, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They may simply not be large enough to allow water into the house during an everyday rain storm. Coupled with hurricane-force winds, though, even the tiniest spaces can lead to moisture entering your home. Re-caulking every window frame and door frame is a good way to keep your house as dry as possible until the weather system passes.
- Inspect other structures on your property – If you have a garage, shed, carport, deck, or other structure in your yard, it’s imperative to inspect it to make sure it doesn’t have any issues. If, for instance, a deck’s support posts are weak or rotting, they could cause the entire thing to collapse during the hurricane. Having a professional contractor look at these structures when you first learn that a hurricane is approaching is a good idea; this may allow enough time to repair any serious problems.
The team at Hatch Homes understands the seriousness of hurricane preparedness, and we will do everything in our power to keep your home secure until the storm passes. Contact us to schedule assistance with any precautionary projects you would like to undertake. And, in the event your house does sustain hurricane damage, we hope you will allow us to fix it for you so you and your loved ones can get back to normal as quickly as possible.