As Hurricane Earl bears down on the east coast, we're all doing what we can to brace ourselves. But what can we do to protect our houses from hurricane damage? Here are a few short- and long-term precautions.
Installing storm shutters. Photo: Getty Images
Hurricanes can produce winds of over 100 miles per hour -- enough to devastate even the sturdiest of homes. These intense tropical storms are
categorized according to their severity, with Category 1 being the mildest, and Category 5, the harshest.
Of course, not all hurricanes are responsible for the level of destruction caused by New Orleans' notorious
Hurricane Katrina. But a stage 3 hurricane, which seems to describe the country's latest storm, Hurricane Earl, can still do a lot of damage to a house -- particularly its roof, windows, doors, and garage.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do right away to prepare for an impending hurricane.
1. Reinforce the Garage
According to the
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, the garage door -- with its wide expanse and lightweight construction -- is one of the most vulnerable openings in a home during a storm. Often, the pins that secure a garage door in place at the top and bottom simply can't withstand hurricane-force winds.
-- Short-term solution: If you only have a few days to prepare, secure your garage door with a vertical brace like
Secure Door.
-- Long-term solution: It's best to replace your existing door with a
storm-ready garage door.
2. Protect Windows and Doors
Any opening in the home is vulnerable to hurricane damage, particularly windows and doors -- including French doors and patio doors.
-- Short-term solution: In a pinch, you can use plywood that's at least 5/8" thick to secure your windows.
-- Long-term solution: According to
FEMA, storm shutters provide the best protection for windows. But you may not be able to install them on short notice.
The National Hurricane Center suggests finding out whether a building permit is required in your area before installing storm shutters. Don't rely on duct tape to keep your windows secure; this is a common misconception that offers no protection against hurricane winds.
3. Secure the Roof
If a hurricane is due to hit, first determine what kind of roof you have. A gabled roof -- the classic, triangular-shaped roof -- is the
most susceptible to hurricane damage, according to The National Hurricane Center.
--Short-term solution: For now, you can temporarily glue down the roof shingles by applying asphalt cement (for asphalt shingles) or flooring adhesive. Use a caulk gun to apply beads of adhesive along the underside of the shingles' edges.
-- Long-term solution: Either
reinforce your roof's truss bracing, or
install hurricane-resistant roof tiles.
In addition, clean out gutters and downspouts, make sure trees and shrubs around the home are well-trimmed, and bring indoors any furniture, playground equipment, and other potential flying objects.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, check out the websites of
The National Hurricane Center and
FEMA.
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