Hurricane season is just around the corner so it is time to get your home ready for the season. There are many things that can be done to prepare your home for a hurricane.
Take a walk around your home and check for any loose boards, such as siding, fascia or soffits. Check the roof and gutters for debris and clean them out. Look for any loose paint or places where water may be coming into your home such as at the bottom of doors or around windows. Not only can hurricanes be devastating but we have also learned that tropical storms can wreak havoc by bringing lots of rain. If there is an existing leak before a storm this situation could become a much larger problem during the storm.
A decision will need to be made about your windows. One option is that they can be covered with plywood. Your remodeler can cut plywood to fit all your windows ahead of time and they can be labeled so you know which window they go on in advance. The only problem with this is that after the storm there are screw holes in the wood around your windows and doors. There are products on the market today that can protect windows during a storm which are easy to put on once the hardware has been installed. These products include such items as shutters that can be rolled down to cover windows, or screens that can withstand 150 MPH winds. There are many other options that your remodeler can help you with.
After watching Hurricane Rita and Katrina we have seen the devastation that can occur. It may be time to invest in a generator for your home. The generator would be sized for the amount of power you need to operate certain items in your home such as an air conditioning unit, a refrigerator, freezer, lights, wine refrigerator, and possibly the washing machine. It can also have an automatic turn on feature so if you lose power it automatically will turn on and start servicing your home. When Hurricane Alicia occurred in 1983 many people were with out power for at least a week if not longer. Generators can cost anywhere from $15,000 installed that offers minimal power to around $75,000 installed and higher to operate a home.
If you are in the middle of a major remodeling project when a storm is predicted to come your way there are some things that can be done to secure the project. The dumpster at your home may not be picked up before the storm arrives. Cover it with a large tarp to prevent the debris in the dumpster from flying. If you do not have a dumpster put the construction debris in your garage to keep it from becoming projectiles. Move the portable toilet to the garage, tie it to a tree or have it picked up. You may want to keep it since there is always a chance you could lose water service to your home for a few days after the storm.
These are just a few of the things consider before hurricane season begins. Call your favorite remodeler and have her do a walk through with you to discuss options and help you prepare for the season.
About the author – Leslie King is the President of Greymark Construction Company, a professional design-build remodeling firm in Houston. Leslie is designated as a Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR), Graduate Master Builder (GMB), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) by the National Association of Homebuilders and is also member of the Greater Houston Builders Association’s Remodeler Council. |
