Have A Recovery Plan Before And After The Storm
Do you live in hurricane alley or tornado alley? If your area is prone to storms--especially destructive storms that can tear away roofing materials and break windows on a yearly basis--you need to have more than a preparation and protection plan. There's always a chance that your property's defenses will fail, and you need to have something in mind for replacing a few of the more commonly damaged parts of homes and business buildings. Here are a few before and after preparation steps to keep in mind.
Pre-Storm Preparation
Boarding up windows and securing any outer layer materials is vital, but you could do more.
The point of boarding up windows, doors, and other openings is to stop projectile from breaking into the home and either causing damage indoors or allowing the elements to leak in. While boards are a good last-minute, potentially low-cost option for protecting your building, you could save money throughout the years with storm shutters.
Storm shutters can be permanently installed with anchors into your building, and can be designed to fit current aesthetics. These reinforced shutters can close and open like normal shutters, but are strong enough to resist the impact of most storm-borne projectiles. If it can go through the shutters, you likely have bigger problems than the investment failing.
Roofing materials can become costly if you're installing the wrong type. If you live in a storm-prone area, stop using shingles. Although there are ways to install shingles in a way that resist gale-force winds, it's simply smarter to use heavier materials such as stone or composite shakes or a metal roof.
There are right and wrong ways to install wide roofing materials, especially since certain styles can turn into wings or flaps that can be torn off like a giant shingle. Be sure to discuss storm safety and material type with a roofing replacement professional before settling on any specific roof.
Document Your Replacement Options
After the storm, how do you get everything fixed? Do you just drive out to the nearest home improvement store or order something online? What if what you need isn't in stock?
For many of the most common construction materials, your local home improvement or hardware stores may be empty as everyone else in the area shops for repair materials. Online shipping may work, but some stores have limited supplies and may suffer from the same problem as local stores. The main difference is that you may be able to get the materials from further away--if you wait long enough.
Instead of waiting for the storm to take away what you need, keep an inventory of most of your exterior materials. Get brands, serial numbers, and colors for roofing materials, siding, gutters, windows, doors, bricks, wood, and anything else that has to withstand the force of nature.
Contact a roofing replacement business such as Earhart Roofing Company Inc to discuss current replacement needs, as well as future stockpiling options for when and if the storm causes a bit of trouble.
