If you live in an area that experiences hurricanes, you need to know how to protect your home from serious damage. Your house is one of your most important assets so you should want to do everything you can to minimize the impact that a hurricane can have on it. Not only will this keep your home intact, but it will keep you and your family safe as well.

Here are our best tips for preparing your roof and home so that they are hurricane-ready.

Inspect Your Roof

First things first, conduct a thorough roof inspection. It is crucial to ensure that your roof is well-protected before a hurricane as powerful storms can cause extensive damage to your house if the roof is not secure.

Water damage from a hurricane can also cause your roof to leak or possibly even collapse. So, make sure that you properly inspect your roof (both internally and externally) before the start of the hurricane season.

Inspect your roof to look for any missing tiles or shingles and ensure that none are damaged. Checking for wear and tear lets you spot weak points in your roof early. This way, you can hire a roofing company to fix them up before the storms hit.

Also conduct an internal roof inspection. Damp spots and mold on your ceilings or walls are likely signs that your roof has a leak. If this is the case, make sure that you get the help of a roofer to help you fix up your roof before a hurricane hits and makes the problem worse.

Install Roof Straps

Some roofs are left exposed during hurricanes. So, installing hurricane roof straps will ensure that your roof is well-secured. Most roofs are held down securely due to gravity, but this is not enough in a hurricane zone.

Steel hurricane straps are made specifically to strengthen wood-frame houses so having them installed is a must if you live in a hurricane-prone area.

Replace Your Roof Before A Hurricane

Hurricanes can cause severe damage to an old roof. If your roof is old and in bad shape, then it might be time to invest in a new one. Installing a new roof before a storm will provide your house with much better protection.

Consider metal roofing as it is one of the strongest roofing materials and offers the most protection from severe storms.

Clean Your Gutters And Drains

Blocked gutters and drains can cause damage to your roof, floors, and the internal structure of your home. They can even cause flooding to your basement during a powerful hurricane.

Inspect these areas and ensure that your gutters, drains, and downspouts are clean before a hurricane so that no blockages occur.

Secure Your Windows And Doors

It’s very important to reinforce your windows and doors before a hurricane hits. These are parts of your home that generally sustain the most damage during strong winds and storms.

For example, if not properly secured, they can blow open and bang shut, which can damage the hinges. Branches and garden furniture could even blow into a window and smash it.

So, make sure that you install storm shutters on all your windows and doors. This is the best way to protect them.

A more affordable option would be to use pieces of plywood to cover your windows and doors. However, this won’t provide the same level of protection.

Clean Up Your Yard

Inspect your yard for any items such as tree branches that can damage your home during a hurricane. It’s also a good idea to clip the trees around your home before a storm. This prevents dead branches from being ripped off by strong winds and crashing into your house or roof.

Make sure that you place items like lawn furniture, grills, and garden decor inside your home before a storm. This will help protect the items as well as your home from damage.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your home before a hurricane is crucial for minimizing damage and keeping you, your family, and your assets safe!

So, by following the tips mentioned above, your house will have a good chance of withstanding any critical damage when the next storm hits.