Building a home or fixing a home after it suffers damage is the perfect opportunity to ensure that it is ready for the harsh weather that comes with storms in Florida. There are some aspects of this that your contractor can help you with, but it is always a good idea to know some of the basics.
The building codes in the area take hurricanes into account, so all reputable contractors should know what materials are suitable for the conditions here in Miami. It is always best to do what you are able to do to protect your home.
Construction of the walls
Having walls made of timber and sheetrock might seem suitable. However, these materials don’t provide any protection against flying debris during a hurricane. Instead, you might opt to have cinderblock or concrete walls that can offer some measure of protection. A solid concrete wall that is reinforced with rebar can also protect you from fire, waves and winds. You do have to be careful about moisture and rust in the rebar, but there are methods that can reduce the chance of this happening, including treating the metal prior to installation.
Tips for the roof
The roof is one particularly problematic area of the home. Lifting is possible, which occurs when the winds lift the roof and then it goes back down. This can lead to water damage because it doesn’t stop the water from seeping in when it resets. To combat this, you can tie the roof down and use polyurethane foam spray on the underside of the roof.
Window safety
Regular glass windows won’t fare well in a storm when debris is flying around. Instead, you need to use impact-resistant glass that isn’t as likely to shatter if it is hit by anything. Don’t forget to find out if the glass on the doors on the exterior of your home have suitable glass.
Height does matter
When you have beach-front property or are located in the area that the storm surge might impact, you need to ensure that you are either on higher ground or that your home is higher. This may minimize the risk of flooding.
It is possible that your home will sustain damage in a storm even if you take all the possible precautions. Your homeowner’s insurance should cover most of the claims, and flood insurance should also cover some. Learning about the limitations, coverage specifications and similar points is beneficial so you know how to handle your claims.