Contact with natural perils such as storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes do not always happen in the news. There are some situations when they can actually happen in your neighborhood and you experience their effects firsthand. Fortunately, improvements in weather prediction make it possible to be warned before they can devastate properties. Usually, the first course of action is evacuation.
One of the main concerns that homeowners have to deal with is their assets. While personal safety should always be the main concern, it is not irresponsible to think about what will happen to the property in the event a calamity hits. After all, the idea is that you return back to the property after the danger has passed. It is only logical to be concerned with the appearance of what you are returning to.
To mitigate the effects of the hazards of severe weather, you have the option to establish a system of coverings and insulation of the property’s openings that will provide protections against wind and rain. Some of the areas where emergency board up services can be use for include:
1. Windows and doors
Openings such as windows and doors are the most vulnerable to damage during situations of extreme weather. The reason for this is that they usually make use of glass materials that can easily shatter. Once this happens, water and wind can easily enter the premises and cause havoc to the interiors of the home. Some people are already protected from the possibility of destroyed doors and windows because they are equipped with hurricane shutters. However, not all people are so there is a need to make use of emergency board up services.
Windows, sliding glass doors, entryways, and even skylights can be boarded up to secure them from being badly damaged. A professional emergency board up services company will come in and place coverings on these places to secure them from the elements. In addition to providing protection against wind and rain, it can also keep debris from entering the property.
The most common material used for emergency board up services is plywood because it is sturdy and relatively inexpensive. In fact, the boards can be installed by the property homeowners themselves. Of course, this is subject to the consideration that the person is physically able to. If it is better to get someone to do it professionally, that can also be done as well. Take note that wood shutters do not last very long so if the location of the home is somewhere where the weather gets bad regularly, they may have to be eventually replaced.
Other materials that are used to board up doors and windows are metals like aluminum and steel. Clear polycarbonate may also be used. These materials although more expensive than wooden ones can better withstand gale-force winds. Usually, panels made out of this material are corrugated and come with a means of installation that makes them easier to secure compared to wooden panels that need to be nailed in. Metal and polycarbonate panels can also be joined together so they are better for large openings. For polycarbonate panels, another advantage is that they can let some measure of light through.
2. Garage Doors
Because of the size of garage doors, they usually do not incorporate any kind of support other than the beams located at its side. More often than not, they are also made out of lightweight materials in order for them to be raised and lowered easily. While this is convenient for everyday use, it can be extremely dangerous when during a storm or a hurricane. They are simply more prone to damage. To remedy this, garage doors may be reinforced by securing wood planks horizontally across it or screwing steel braces to the panels. Angled braces are also put in the ground to provide for additional support. The addition of these structures can ensure that the garage door is better equipped to remain shut even though the wind is strong and there is heavy rain.
3. Roofs
Emergency board up services can entail the installation of hurricane straps, which are used to protect the roof of the home. These are small braces made out of metal that function to secure the roof to the beams of the home. Hurricane straps increase the durability of the property against calamities because they are stronger than nails. Research has shown that the use of these hurricane straps can improve the strength of the roof by up to 50 percent.
The reason why roofs need extra protection is that they can easily be torn off by the wind. In addition to this, the constant barrage of raindrops can cause sources of leaks to form. Property owners need to be aware of the state of their roofs because damage to it can expose the interiors of the home to the elements. Aside from the potential for water damage, bad weather can even cause the roof to collapse or send shingles flying to damage other parts of the property.
All of these can be prevented by the use of emergency board up services. The roof coverings and other systems are specifically designed to protect the roof from additional impact. In fact, they can even provide additional support to the gable end walls that will help in the prevention of further roof damage.
4. Outdoor objects
Calling a professional for emergency board up services opens up opportunities that go beyond the reinforcement of the actual property. There are occasions when the service people can be called in to bring in or secure furniture and other items that are located outside the home. Taking these necessary precautions will prevent them from being destroyed or lost because of winds or flood. Some of the most common items that found outside are gardening tools, grills, and chairs.
The advantage of this is not just to save the homeowner from having them repaired or replaced. An additional benefit of securing these items is that they can actually cause further damage if they are left unattended. It is quite possible for these objects to be lifted up and crash into various portions of the property and thus cause harm.
5. The Entire House
One of the best ways to take advantage of emergency board up services is to inquire about the possibility of encasing the entire house. It is possible to wrap the entire property with materials such as plastic sheaths and tarp to prevent water or wind from damaging it.
These can cause the prevention of broken walls, windows, roofs, and virtually every part of the structure. The plastic covering is placed around the property in order to provide cushioning from debris. In addition to providing relief during the calamity, it can also be kept in place at the time repairs are being made. Its function of keeping debris at bay will still come in handy.
House envelopes are also known as shrink wrapping. In this particular service, the standard practice is to use sheets of plastic that measure about 12 mm. in width. They are then used to cover the entire house and nailed down. Heat is used to shrink the size of the plastic to fit into the structure.
6. Utility Connections
With today’s technology in construction, it is likely that the property itself is built strongly enough to withstand the elements. However, one thing that should be given plenty of attention to during storms and other natural perils is the utility connections of the home. These include gas lines, water lines, and electrical systems.
Emergency board up services can isolate the wiring in order to protect them from the onslaught of storms and other similar situations. This is such an important step to do because it can prevent leakages and short circuits which can result in fire.
7. Pools and ponds
Water features such as swimming pools and ponds are some of the most interesting when it comes to the home. However, their charm can quickly wane in the threat of bad weather considering that hurricanes and other calamities can cause them to overflow. This can lead to flooding, particularly in the low areas such as basements.
To prevent the water from getting inside the house, emergency board up services can include fencing for pools and other similar areas. What the professionals do is to isolate specific area to prevent the water from reaching a critical point.
Taking the necessary steps to prevent water from coming within the property can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. After all water damage restoration can be quite a financial burden because it can encompass a variety of jobs that range from disinfecting to replacing waterlogged carpets.
The concept of emergency board up services is something that can provide every homeowner with the convenience of having a protected home in the face of impending catastrophes. They can efficiently lessen the damage that can happen. Fortunately for homeowners, the standard practice is for the companies offering this particular service is that they are open 24 hours a day and can finish the job within a couple of hours. Considering the nature of natural perils, which usually strike at a very fast rate, it can be quite a significant feat.
