Hurricane Season is Here: Four Steps to Prepare Your Home

While you were sitting by the pool or laying on the beach, the hurricane season arrived. Hurricane Joaquin became the 2015 Atlantic season’s third hurricane Wednesday morning, and its path may move toward the the U.S. East Coast.

The Atlantic hurricane season takes place each year from June 1 to November 30, with maximum activity in early to mid-September. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. It is imperative for families, businesses, and communities alike to have a plan that addresses all of these hazards.

So how do thomeowners residing in vulnerable areas best prepare their homes to seal out hurricane damage this season? The first piece of good news is that American building supply companies are on top of it, continuing to innovate and manufacture new products that can help keep people and their homes safe during a hurricane. The second piece of good news is that there are a four simple steps to reduce your home’s risk for damage before a hurricane or any intense storm hits:

First off, as a homeowner, it’s essential you realize the time to take action is before a storm, not after:

1. Check Your Roof’s Warranty - Read your roof’s construction and warranty paperwork. Understanding how your roof has been constructed is the best way to evaluate its current condition and determine if repairs or upgrades are required. Understanding the terms and conditions of your warranties may prevent you from making changes that will void them.

2. Inspect - Look for potential problems, such as loose roof coverings, worn flashing, blocked drainage systems or unanchored rooftop units (i.e., vents, skylights). Also determine if additional reinforcements to the perimeter, such as fasteners or hurricane bars are required.

Beyond the roof, a home’s doors and windows can also become major leak zones if they are not properly flashed. The following are some signs of water damage and thus will need flashing:

· Leaks or breaks in seams around window trim and sills.

· Uneven doorframes.

· Discolored plasterboard.

· Peeling wallpaper.

· Deterioration or separation of the deck from the rest of the house.

· Chipped or cracked stucco finishes.

· Mold, mildew, or rot in the walls, insulation, and electrical systems.

· Missing, cracked, or blistered paint inside the home.

3. Use the Right Products - If roof repairs or flashings are needed don’t skimp on quality to save a few cents. Much of the home investment loss associated with hurricanes and other serious storms results from water entering the home when roof coverings or sidings are blown off. This leaking is the main cause of rot and mold that can then lead to major structural damage and potential health problems for homeowners.

Roof: FEMA published recommendations for the use of fully adhered roofing underlayment’s, such as Grace Ice & Water Shield®, as an enhanced secondary water barrier for homes in both coastal and inland hurricane-prone areas. In the event roof coverings are blown off or water manages to get underneath your shingles, these underlayments are key to preventing water infiltration.

Windows, Doors and More: Flexible flashing, can be used to seal the most vulnerable spots, including windows, doors, corner boards, stucco finishes, masonry walls, and other non-roof detail areas. Highly conformable, self-adhering waterproofing membranes form a weather tight barrier around unwanted openings in the wall sheathing system. Check out this home waterproofing interactive guide for more guidance.

4. Find a Pro - Identify reliable, knowledgeable roofing professionals that can perform work safely. It’s usually best that all inspections, maintenance and repairs are completed by trained and experienced people.

You should establish a strong working relationship with whomever you find to ensure ongoing agreements are maintained and that you have a source for supplies and labor should your home receive storm damage.