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PROTECTING
YOUR HOME |
Before the Storm
(Long-Range Preparation) |
Strong winds are
often the most dangerous elements of a hurricane. Protecting the
roof from high winds is essential to securing the integrity of
your home during a storm.
- Make sure that shingles, tiles
or panels are fastened down tightly and replace any that are
missing or loose . Rather than checking the roof yourself, which
is dangerous and can damage the roof, hire a roofing
professional.
- If you need to replace or make
significant repairs to your roof, incorporate hurricane-proof
measures to ensure that the roof is secure . Discuss these
measures with your contractor so your roof is designed with high
winds in mind.
- Contractors should use
hot-dipped, galvanized nails instead of staples to attach
asphalt shingles.
- Roof trusses should have
braces to prevent a structural element from buckling or racking
. Install hurricane straps, which are galvanized metal straps
designed to hold the roof rafter to the top of the exterior
wall. These clips or straps usually require professional
installation, but can limit damage to your roof caused by high
hurricane winds.
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Before the Storm
(Short-Range Preparation) |
- Remove turbines.
- Trim nearby tree branches.
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| During the Storm |
- If roof damage is observed
during a storm, do not attempt repairs or damage control until
after the storm because of the danger of high winds and the
possibility of a lightning strike.
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| After the Storm |
- Make temporary repairs to
protect your home.
- If your roof is damaged, use
tarps secured with ropes and nails to cover it as soon as you
can . Heavy rains usually occur during and after a hurricane,
and water can cause devastating damage to the interior of your
home. Any step you can take to minimize water damage will help.
- Remove loose debris on the
roof that could be blown off in a subsequent storm. Because some
roofs are in a hazardous condition after wind damage, debris
removal should be performed by a professional roofing contractor
if one is available within a reasonable time period.
- Major repairs should be
completed by a professional contractor.
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CONTRACTOR TIPS
The demand for
qualified contractors after a disaster usually exceeds the supply.
Beware of home repair rip-off artists, who may overcharge, perform
shoddy work or skip town without finishing your job. Because many
legitimate licensed home repair companies can be booked solid for
months, frustrated and anxious homeowners and landlords, eager to get
their property back in shape, may neglect to take the usual
precautions when hiring contractors.
- Deal only with
licensed and insured contractors .
- Verify the track
record of any roofer, builder or contractor you are thinking of
hiring. Ask for a list of recent customers and call them.
- Get
recommendations from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers,
insurance agents or claims adjusters.
- Check with the
local consumer protection agency, building officials, and the Better
Business Bureau to see if complaints have been lodged against any
contractor you are considering.
- Take your time
about signing a contract . Get a written estimate that includes any
oral promises the contractor made. Remember to ask if there's a
charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into your home.
- Ask for
explanations for price variations, and don't automatically choose
the lowest bidder.
- Get a copy of the
final, signed contract before the job begins.
- Resist dealing
with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire job up-front.
A deposit of one-third of the total price is standard procedure.
- Don't pay cash.
Pay only by check or credit card, and pay the final amount only
after the work is completed to your satisfaction.
- Be skeptical of
contractors who encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary
repairs. Make sure there is enough money for permanent repairs.
- Ask a
knowledgeable friend, relative or attorney to review a home repair
contract before you sign.
- If you take out a
loan to pay for the work, be cautious about using your home as
security: If you don't repay the loan as agreed, you could lose your
home. Consider asking an attorney to review the loan documents, as
well.
- If you suspect a
repair rip-off, call the your local or state consumer agency and
your building departments.
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