As much as we’d love to enjoy the autumn weather, it, unfortunately, coincides with Hurricane season. As Texans, we have become accustomed to dealing with adverse weather and adjusting to the elements. At the time of writing this post, Houston is going to be hit with ten days of inclement weather. FEMA is predicting that there will be several natural disasters throughout the country, so we complied nine of the best practices to plan accordinging and protect your assets, your property, and your loved ones.
We shared a similar list after Hurricane Harvey on our posts, it can be found here.
- Inspect and Repair Roof: Regularly check your roof for any loose or damaged shingles and repair them promptly to prevent leaks during a storm. Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, we encourage you to reach out to a professional to have your roof inspected. Having the roof checked initially will save you money and the headache of costly repairs from roof failure. Additionally, your chimney is located on the roof, and it is just as exposed as the rest of the roof, you will find it beneficial to have the chimney looked at before any major weather event to ensure that your chimney is able to handle the inclement weather.
- Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Ensure that gutters and downspouts are clear of debris to allow proper water flow and reduce the risk of water damage to your home. If the water pools in your gutters, it would result in severe water damage for your property. Again like all things in life, a simple DIY could get this fixed.
- Secure Outdoor Furniture: Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and any loose items that could become projectiles in high winds. This furniture could also damage structures on the community such as monument signs and community screen walls. Damaging these structures could potentially cost thousands in repairs.
- Check and Seal Windows and Doors: Inspect windows and doors for any gaps or cracks and seal them with weather stripping or caulk to keep out wind and rain. In addition to the windows, inspect the metal lintels above the windows, with the weather damage these can become exposed and rust.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs: Prune trees and shrubs around your home to remove dead or overhanging branches that could cause damage during a storm.
- Inspect Masonry for Cracks: Examine the brickwork or stonework of your house for any cracks or weaknesses. Repair these to prevent further damage from wind and water infiltration.
- Reinforce Chimney and Masonry Structures: Ensure that your chimney and other masonry structures are properly reinforced and secured to withstand high winds and prevent collapse. If you’re concerned with the structural integrity of your masonry structures, contact Brick Restoration Inc. or reach out to your local masonry professionals. While we can all appreciate a DIY, it’s best to leave repairs, especially life-saving ones, to the professionals of the trade. Doing repairs to the chimney could also save you money in the long run as the damages from the leaks can be very costly.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. This is important especially when considering how many Houstonians were without power during the Hurricane Beryl.
- Develop a Family Communication Plan: Create a plan for how your family will communicate and where you will meet if you are separated during a storm. Make sure all family members are aware of the plan. This is what FEMA stresses the most when it comes to hurricane recovery. It’s the responsibility of ourselves to ensure lives lost and property damage is minimized during disasters and having a system in place where you would be able to contact your loved ones and job offline is crucial in case there is no immediate access to power.
How can Brick Restoration Inc. best help with storm and hurricane damage?
We previously included all of our specialty storm services on our Storm Damage Restoration page. During the difficult times after a storm, keeping your home and loved ones safe can be challenging. Just to summarize we would be able to help with minor or major fixes during the storm.
About Brick Restoration, Inc.
We are the highest-rated full-service masonry repair and installation contractor serving the Greater Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.
Known for our expert workmanship and outstanding results, our extensively trained masons and patented technology separate us from other masonry contractors.
With over 30 years in business, our masonry team and specialists are experts at enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Schedule your free estimate today to meet with one of our Restoration Specialists.
