Storms can be incredibly damaging. To help keep your home safe and dry during severe storms, I’m going to tell you some ways to help secure your roof during hurricanes or tornadoes. It’s essential that homeowners take the proper precautions before these storms hit in order to protect their homes from potential damage. In this article, I’ll provide you with advice on what steps to take for ensuring your roof is safe and sound during extreme weather events.
Inspect Your Roof
Before a hurricane or tornado hits, it is important to inspect your roof. It is recommended that someone check the shingles on your roof for any signs of wear and tear in order to ensure they are still capable of providing adequate protection against strong winds. There should be no pieces missing from the shingles and the lower section of each shingle, about three-quarters of the way down, should be stuck to the shingle below it. It is also important to inspect all seals around vents, chimneys, and other openings to make sure there are no gaps or deficiencies where wind or water can enter the home. Make sure these are properly sealed with caulking and/or flashing as needed so water won’t find its way inside during strong storms. Additionally, inspect for any signs of damage such as missing shingles or cracks in siding that need repair prior to a storm arriving. Taking care of those issues ahead of time can save you from major headaches down the line.
Clear Your Gutters and Trim Branches
After inspecting your roof, it’s important to clear out any debris or foliage that could potentially blow around in high winds or prevent proper drainage. This includes trimming back tree branches if they hang over the edge of the roof and clearing gutters of leaves, sticks, and other types of debris. Doing this will help reduce some strain on your roof during a hurricane or tornado.
Install Hurricane Straps
Now is the perfect time to install hurricane straps which tie down the roof trusses securely into place using metal connectors attached directly to studs within walls. Depending on what type of material makes up your roof structure and local and state regulations will determine how many straps are necessary; however, most roofs require at least four straps per side connected along both sides of each rafter pair near the peak of the ceiling or ridge beam. Ensuring these connections stay tight throughout a storm can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your roof intact afterward.
Hurricanes and tornadoes can be like raging monsters, tearing through homes with devastating force.
It’s essential to use the fasteners recommended by the manufacturer or regulations in your area when connecting hurricane straps to your home, and you’ll want them firmly secured instead of just loosely attached. Also, make sure all fasteners are corrosion-resistant so they don’t break down over time due to exposure to rain or wind-driven water spray. Taking these measures prior to storm season will give you much-needed peace of mind knowing that your roof is secure against the powerful forces of nature.
Having a sturdy roof isn’t enough though: Your doors must also be properly sealed to prevent flying debris from entering your house during a hurricane or tornado. The next section outlines how best to go about doing this.
Secure Your Doors
In order to secure your doors during a hurricane or tornado, it is important to inspect the hardware on each door. Make sure that all hinges and locks are in good condition and securely fastened. If you have sliding glass doors, reinforce the framing around them with additional screws and/or weatherstripping for extra protection. Additionally, check the thresholds of any exterior doors and make sure they fit tightly against the frame.
To further protect your home from storm damage, consider installing metal-backed or impact-resistant doors if possible. These types of doors are designed to withstand strong winds without breaking or being torn off their frames. You should also install heavier-duty strike plates on all external entranceways as an added precaution.
Finally, be aware that garage doors can become weak spots during storms due to their large size and light construction material. To counteract this issue, ensure that all rollers, tracks, springs, and cables are firmly connected at all times so that the door does not come loose when exposed to high winds. This will help keep your home safe while protecting its structural integrity throughout inclement weather conditions. With these measures taken care of, we’re now ready to move on to securing windows and vents in preparation for a potential hurricane or tornado.
Cover Windows And Vents
So let’s begin by covering all windows and vents with either plywood, sturdy plastic film, or shutters. This will help keep wind-born debris from entering the house through these areas when the storm arrives and the winds pick up.
These steps may take some time but they’re key to helping your roof, windows, and other parts of your home withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at it this season. So roll up those sleeves and get ready – hurricane season comes around every year.
Conclusion
It’s always important to take the necessary precautions to secure your roof during a hurricane or tornado. Be sure to inspect your roof, clear gutters of debris, install hurricane straps, secure doors, and cover windows and vents for extra protection against storms or have someone do it for you. Taking these few steps can go a long way in making sure that you have adequate coverage when facing extreme weather conditions. Don’t let yourself be unprepared when it comes to protecting your home.