![]() |
BobVila.com > Channels > Storm-Ready Home
Make emergency plans while the sun shines so you won't be caught unprepared when the storm comes.
|
Prepare for Hurricane Season
Hurricane Awareness Week from May 20- May 27 urges Florida's residents and all coastal homeowners to prepare for hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. Homeowners should review their tie-downs, shutters, any lingering repairs or debris from past seasons, and emergency kits, preparedness measures, and evacuation plans. Consider a backup generator to keep the home running and hold moisture and humidity at bay. If remodeling, look at solutions that will combat mold, beat back wind, and keep your roof in place. Now is the time to prepare to face the storm.
Emergency Backup Generators
Whether a power outage in your home is caused by grid failure or severe weather, you can take the following steps to prepare and respond.
 Anchor Your Fuel Tank
 Storm-Ready Roof Decking and Underlayment
Bring Outdoor Items In
|
 |
 |
|
Protecting Your Doors and Windows
Protecting the home's openings from winds and wind blown objects is the single most important step a homeowner can take in protecting the structure from serious damage. If you can keep the wind outside, you and your possessions will be safe inside.
Read More
|
|
|
|
 |
Storm Ready Design
Rebuilding to Beat a Hurricane
Season 1 of Bob Vila opens in Punta Gorda, Florida, where Bob is on site for the construction of a new, storm-ready home to replace a house decimated by hurricane Charley in August 2004. The new home will employ enhanced building practices and advanced technologies to keep wind and water out during hurricanes and storms. Bob learns about a three-stage stem wall that ties the foundation into the ground. He also watches as rebar and steel mesh are tied to the foundation bars to provide reinforcement for the solid pour concrete wall that will extend from the foundation to the roofline. Bob reviews the house plans with Scott Buescher of Mercedes Homes and learns how integrated home design keeps wind and water out while keeping structures in tact. Florida Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings and Secretary of Community Affairs Thaddeus Cohen discuss rebuilding Florida after the storms.View Show Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Shiners' in the attic make your roof vulnerable to high winds.
|
If you live in a windstorm-prone area, you should find out if your home's attic contains shiners— and I don't mean the frisky baitfish used to catch large-mouth bass. In homebuilding, shiner is a term used for exposed nails along the wood structure of the roof. If you have them, chances are the roof above them is improperly attached. How do you find shiners? If you have safe attic access, use a flashlight to look along the framing members in your attic. If you see shiny objects along the edges of the framing members, you've got shiners. That's bad news because the nails should be hidden inside the wood supports of the roof. If they are exposed, it may mean that your roof is more likely to come off in high winds. The good news is that a roof with shiners can be strengthened—so check for them now before it's too late. What if you don't live in an area prone to high winds? Homes nationwide are vulnerable to windstorms, whether from hurricanes, Nor'easters, straight-line winds, downslope winds, or tornadoes. Don't assume that because you don't live on the coast your home is immune from windstorms or shiners. Do a quick check now to avoid damage later.
|
|
|
View All Storm-Ready Blog |
|
|
|
|
About | FAQ | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Help
 |
![]() |
|
