Hurricane season got off to an early start this year but luckily, so far, there have been no major landfalls. Of course with a hurricane comes wind and rain, both of which can be very damaging to your home. There are steps you can take to help ensure that your home is protected against these forces. Some require the help of a contractor and can be done anytime, while others can and should be done just before the storm’s arrival.
1. Get a Roofing Inspection
A good roofing contractor will inspect your entire roofing system. This should be done at least once a year to check the integrity of your roof. Some states have laws requiring roofing straps to help hold the roof on a home in the face of hurricane-strength winds. Your roofer can install them if you don’t already have them in place. A professional roofer will also inspect the roofing material, gutters and rain gutter shields. During the inspection, he’ll make sure all are properly affixed to your home so they don’t become airborne from the wind.
2. Caulk Your Windows
This is another regular maintenance task you shouldn’t put off. When your window caulk is in good condition, you’re less likely to have water intrusion from blowing rain. All you need to do is look at each window for caulk that is continuous and free of cracks or blisters. If you see yours is deteriorated, remove the old caulk and add new. You should also check around your doors, especially sliding patio doors.
3. Remove Loose Items from Your Yard
One major cause of damage to homes is flying debris. If you have yard decorations, patio furniture or kids’ toys in your yard, store them before the storm. Many homeowners with pools choose to put their patio furniture in the pool if a garage isn’t an option.
4. Clean Your Gutters
Some hurricanes drop an exceptional amount of rain. If your gutters are clogged, that rainwater will overflow and you’ll end up with flooding around your foundation. If you’re on a slab or crawlspace, you may suffer foundation damage or water intrusion into your home. Installing rain gutter shields is one solution to keep gutters clear year-round. Many gutter guard installation companies will clean your gutters before installing rain gutter shields.
5. Trim Your Trees
Branches overhanging your home can cause extensive damage to your roof, windows and siding. When the wind blows branches and they rub your roof, granules can be lost which will shorten the life of your roof. If branches are weak, they can become wind-blown projectiles that result in broken siding and windows.
There are many rain gutter shields out there, but only one that can handle up to 22 inches of rain per hour! The patented design of Gutter Helmet® ensures that no matter how fast the rain from a hurricane falls, it goes into your gutters and away from your home. If you want to learn more about Gutter Helmet, call (800) 824-3772 or complete our contact form and we’ll have our local dealer contact you.
