(BPT) – With June marking the start of the 2024 hurricane season, it’s important for homeowners living along the hurricane coast to act now to ensure their properties are protected against storm damage. Researchers at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) have identified the roof and garage doors as the two areas of the home most susceptible to damage brought by hurricanes.
NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasters predict an active hurricane season this year, noting that 17–25 named storms are likely to develop in the Atlantic Basin between now and the end of November — yet it only takes one storm to cause major damage to your home and disruption to your life. Less than 35% of Americans live in communities with an adopted and enforced modern building code, which means many homeowners along the hurricane coast may be at risk during this year’s hurricane season.
“In an ideal world, homeowners wouldn’t have to worry about securing garage doors or upgrading roofs because their building code would ensure their home was safe and secure, but that is not the case for most Americans,” explained IBHS Managing Director for Standards and Data Analytics Dr. Ian Giammanco. “Homeowners should begin preparing their properties now to reduce the chance of costly damage this hurricane season.”
There are science-backed steps homeowners can take to prepare their property for the high winds and heavy rains that accompany hurricanes. IBHS offers a free Hurricane Ready guide that walks homeowners through those essential severe weather preparations to reduce damage and explains the ‘why’ behind each mitigation action. IBHS recommends taking these actions now, before the peak of hurricane season in September:
Install a wind-rated garage door
The garage door is the largest opening in most homes. If it fails, pressure can build inside the garage, pushing up on the roof and against the walls, resulting in a cascade of costly structural damage to the entire home.
Inspect your garage door to ensure it has a wind rating of 130 mph or higher. If a garage door is not labeled as wind resistant, it should be replaced or reinforced to provide needed protection.
A roof that’s already in need of repair is more susceptible to damage from high winds. If you want peace of mind that your home could weather a severe storm with minimal damage, it’s crucial to check the condition of the roof, especially if it is more than 10 years old. A local, qualified roofing contractor can identify and repair damaged or unsealed shingles, loose flashing or cracked sealant — all of which can lead to roof leaks, or worse.
Having an inspection done at the beginning of the season is important to allow time to make the necessary repairs.
Install a sealed roof deck
During severe weather, a roof cover can be ripped off, exposing gaps between the boards that make up the roof deck, allowing rain to easily enter. Installing a sealed roof deck can help seal those gaps and keep water out of the attic and ceiling.
How much damage can a sealed roof deck prevent?
- For every inch of rain that falls on a damaged, unsealed 2,000-square-foot roof, the equivalent of up to nine bathtubs of water can enter the attic.
- A properly installed roof deck reduces water entry by 95%.
A roof deck on a 2,000-square-foot home can be sealed for around $500, which is much less than the cost of the damage water can cause when it enters your home.
Re-roof your home to the FORTIFIED standard
If it’s time for a roof replacement due to age or damage, IBHS recommends re-roofing to the FORTIFIED Roof™ standard. Based on decades of research, FORTIFIED is a voluntary above-code construction and re-roofing method that strengthens buildings against severe weather.
Homeowners with a FORTIFIED Roof may be eligible for insurance discounts in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Check with your insurance agent to learn more.
Get started now to avoid costly damage when severe weather hits. For more information about preparing your home for hurricane season, visit IBHS.org/HurricaneReadyHome.
