Hurricane Loss Prevention Tips

Previous hurricane seasons, like 2004, have provided painful lessons in the importance of preparing for such destructive storms. Perhaps the most important of all is the need to properly protect your home sooner than later. This will allow you to focus on other important actions when a hurricane approaches, including gathering supplies and heeding evacuation orders. The first step is to decide what level of protection you want and can afford – especially for doors and windows. Then you can permanently install any hardware that should be in place before storms start brewing. When a storm threatens, you can quickly install the protection and move on to other tasks and actions. Protecting Windows Installing Plywood Shutters Protecting Doors Roofing Tips A stronger roof can also increase your home’s resistance to high winds. If you are replacing your roof, the contractor should: • Remove old coverings down to the bare wood sheathing. • Remove enough sheathing to confirm rafters and trusses are securely connected to the walls. • Replace damaged sheathing. • Refasten existing sheathing with 8d ring shank nails at 6” spacing on all support members. • Seal all roof sheathing joints with self-stick rubberized asphalt tape (or equivalent system) to provide a secondary moisture barrier.  Choose a roof covering designed to resist high winds and make sure it is installed according to manufacturer recommendations. Additional Steps to Consider  Shutter and seal gable end vents to prevent wind driven rain from entering attic space.  Use a high quality silicone caulk around outside wall openings such as clothes dryer, kitchen or bathroom vents, outdoor electrical outlets and where cables or pipes go through the wall. Just before a storm, close dryer and bathroom vents with duct tape (but remove it after a storm, before using the vents.)  Consider cutting wall screens in pool enclosures just before the storm hits, if you are still there and your property is located near the landfall position. This may save the aluminum enclosure. For More Information contact me Juan David Espinosa www.es-insurance.com