Tips from Matawan, NJ Realtors on How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane

Ways to protect your home from being severely damaged in the event of a hurricane according to Matawan, NJ Realtors

Meteorologists at AccuWeather have predicted this year’s hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, to be very active and possibly set records. Chief Hurricane Meteorologist Joe Bastardi predicts a total of 16-18 storms this season. To put that in perspective, only eight years in the 160 years of records have had 16 or more storms in a season. Fortunately though, technology has come a long way over the years and it has become easier to predict severe storms such as hurricanes earlier in order to allow enough time to prepare your home and family for the worst. Making simple moves now can pay off if and when your home is affected by a hurricane.

Below you will find strategies and tips from Matawan, NJ Realtors to best protect your home from being damaged from a storm:

Protect your roof

Being that the roof of your home is one of the most important and central parts of the structure, you may want to consider purchasing and installing hurricane straps to ensure your roof will stay attached if a severe storm were to hit. In addition, Matawan, NJ Realtors suggest to inspect the shingles of your roof to make sure they are secure and sealed to prevent any water damage from wind and heavy rain.

Trim trees

Dead limbs left on trees surrounding your home can be major causes of damage in the event of heavy rain and wind. Large, dead branches can essentially become missiles that are projected into the windows of yours or your neighbor’s home. If a tree located on your property does damage anything, your insurance can cover the damage in most cases. However, if no damage is done but a limb falls, it is your responsibility as a homeowner to incur the cost of removal, as this is not covered by insurance.

Protect and shield doors and windows

Make sure your windows and doors are secure so no unnecessary damage is done to the inside of your home during a storm. Broken windows allow rain and wind to enter your home, increasing pressure under the roof. Realtors in Matawan, NJ recommend never taping your windows because it will do virtually nothing to ensure the window stays intact. You will also want to make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they do not fly open.

Secure your garage door

In addition to the roof, the garage door of your home is of equal importance and should be secured prior to a storm hitting your area according to Realtors in Matawan, NJ. Because garage doors are not reinforced, when wind gets into the garage, it creates a positive push while the wind swirling above the structure creates a negative pull. This leaves garage doors to be very vulnerable to damage and high repair costs. Kits to brace your garage doors are available at home-improvement stores.

Revise your insurance policy

The goal here is to make sure you have the proper amount of coverage and have filled in key gaps.

Take inventory of the contents of your home

Matawan, NJ Realtors advise to thoroughly prepare before a storm affects your home and family by taking inventory of all your belongings in case the worst scenario occurs. If your home is severely damaged by a hurricane and you need to file a claim, this process will be much more seamless and you and your family will be able to return to your normal lives faster.

 

 

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