If you’ve lived in a hurricane zone before, chances are you have a good idea of what you need to do to prepare. But if you are new to the hurricane areas, here are 6 things that you can do to prepare and protect your home.

Brace Your Garage Door

A common misconception is that your roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. The truth is, the most vulnerable part of your home is actually the garage door. Because many people don’t realize this, they often don’t reinforce it. As a result, when the wind from the hurricane gets into the garage it creates an area of positive push. Simultaneously, the wind swirling above your home creates a negative pull. It is this push-pull combination that can cause your roof to fly off. When your garage door is reinforced it can help prevent more extensive water damage.

Secure Windows and Doors

Be sure all your broken windows are properly repaired. A broken window is an easy way for wind and rain to enter your home, damage your property, and create increased pressure beneath your roof. The best way to protect your windows is to have storm shutters installed on your home. If you do not have shutters, boarding up your window when a storm is on its way can help protect your home. Additionally, it is important to have several locks on all exterior doors to keep them from flying open during the storm. Deadbolts work the best for this. Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that only doors and windows facing the water are the ones that need to be secured, all doors and windows need to be secured, as hurricanes can swirl in any direction.

Protect Your Roof

Because there are a lot of ways for extra pressure to build up under your roof, it is crucial that your roof is securely bolted to the rest of your home. Hurricane straps can secure your roof to your home. It is also advised that you inspect your shingles or roof tiles to ensure they are secured as well. Seal any areas where wires enter your home to prevent water from entering.

Trim Your Trees

If you have trees in your yard, you’ll want to inspect them to see if there are any dead sections that could potentially damage your home or a neighbor’s home. In fact, trees are a major cause for insurance claims following a hurricane. Broken branches can land on your home, a neighbor’s home, or penetrate windows during a storm.

Take Inventory

Prior to a storm, take a walk through your home and inventory everything you have inside. This will make the process following the storm easier, as you won’t have to remember everything you had. Having an inventory list prior to the storm will make the process of filing claims and getting life back to normal that much easier. Once you have completed a thorough inventory of your home, you’ll want to keep your list in a safe place that is not inside your home.

Update Your Insurance

Before a big storm comes, you should make a call to your insurance company and verify that you have adequate coverage and fill in any gaps to your coverage that you might have.

If you find that your home has suffered from extensive water damage following a storm, call on the professionals at Entrusted to help you restore your home back to its former glory. We have dedicated teams who work tirelessly to ensure that your home is repaired and restored so that you can get back to your normal routine quickly.