Retrofitting
If your home or business was damaged by winds or flood waters from Hurricane Ike, you are probably beginning to make repairs.
Viewer Tip: As you clean up and rebuild, remember that there are ways to retrofit your property so that it will better withstand hurricane conditions, should they occur again.
- Roof: Bracing gabled roofs will prevent collapse or significant damage. Replace missing shingles, and make sure that roof shingles are properly bonded together.
- Shutters: Installing impact-resistant shutters over large windows and glass doors can protect from wind-borne objects and reduce damage. If you are installing new windows, laminated window systems, which are made of plastic bonded to glass, are a good choice.
- Garage Door: Double-wide garage doors are more susceptible to damage from wind than single-sized doors. You can check with your local government building official to see if there are code requirements for your garage door. Your local home improvement store or garage door retailer may be able to provide you with a retrofit kit for your garage door model. Adding bracing and heavier hinges to your garage door can help prevent damage.
Find more information about these topics and other retrofitting ideas from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml.
Seasons: Summer, Fall
(Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center. “Secure Your Home: Retrofitting Your Home.” http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml)
