Is your home storm resistant?

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

There is no doubt this year has been challenging. We have had 29 named storms this hurricane season; that doesn’t include the occasional battering rain you get from a fall storm. So, you have to ask, is your home resistant to storms?

Starting from the top with your roof. Think about how long you have lived in your home. When was the roof replaced? Has it ever been replaced? When was the house built? Owens Corning, maker of roofing shingles, recommends 20 years of life for roofs. There are more signs and symptoms of a roof needing to be replaced. The shingle edges are curled or shingle tabs are cupped. Bald and/or cracked spots, granules missing and moss growing are all indicators that it is time. Now, we are not suggesting you keep up with the Jones’s, but look around your neighborhood--are your neighbors replacing their roofs? Ask them why they felt it necessary? Chances are that you may be experiencing the same things they are. Your house was built around the same time, same damaging storms, right?

We have talked about insulating windows for winterizing your home, so how safe are they in high wind? When replacing windows consider the impact rating. Standard windows will be rated for 30-35 lbs per sq ft. Because we are a coastal state consider getting a higher impact rated window in the 40-45 lbs / sq ft. range.

Be sure to pick up the yard especially when you’re expecting a storm with “damaging winds.” Loose items in the yard can become missiles and breach the house also.

If you have a generator ensure that your sump pump has access to that power source as long as it is not overwhelmed; that can prevent water damage to your home as well. This is by no means an all-inclusive tip list. We hope that your family stays safe and dry. But should you need any water damage mitigated and repaired give us a call directly at 336-946-1131.