If you live in an area that is prone to tornadoes, you will undeniably need to find a way to protect it. As one of the most destructive natural forces, a tornado can cause extensive damage to homes, and entire communities. Therefore, getting properly prepared is the key towards keeping both your property and yourself safe. Here are some things you should keep in mind if you know that a tornado is likely to occur soon.
So, since preparation is the key, there is absolutely no doubt that you want to know how to prepare and protect your home for this natural occurrence. In other words, you want to know how to tornado proof it. And, knowing this is, without a doubt, extremely important, especially if you live in areas that are quite prone to these natural disasters. Well, then, it’s time for you to learn.
There are certainly a lot of methods you can use, and a lot of improvements you can make to your home in order to safeguard it during these disasters. What we are going to do right now is list some of them for you below, hoping to help you increase the security and the safety of your home, and thus feel much calmer and safer after learning that a tornado is coming up. So, without any further ado, let me start listing some of the improvements you should make.
- A Safe Room Is Essential
Starting with the very basics, all homes that are located in tornado prone areas should have a safe room created somewhere. A safe room serves to protect your family, and it is actually one of the best things you can do to keep everyone secure during this natural occurrence. You can build one above-ground, with reinforced concrete and steel, and you can even install it somewhere outside your home. But then, you can also build a below-ground safe room, usually in a garage or a basement. The latter solution offers additional protection against flying debris.
This could also be of help in safeguarding your property: https://help.firststreet.org/hc/en-us/articles/12417489198999-How-to-prepare-your-home-for-a-hurricane-or-tornado
- Reinforcing Walls and the Roof Is a Must
Your roof is one of the most vulnerable spots of the property, especially when not properly reinforced. The same goes for the walls. Strong tornadoes can actually lift those roofs and collapse walls, leaving you out in the open, unprotected and in great danger. To prevent this from happening, you should do your best to reinforce these critical parts of the property.
Upgrading to impact-resistant roofing materials is the best thing to do. But, in addition to that, you can use hurricane straps to secure it to the walls. As for the walls, you should strengthen them with reinforced concrete or steel. And then, adding plywood sheathing could also offer some additional protection. Whatever you do, though, don’t ignore the importance of reinforcing these parts of your property, if you want it to survive the strong winds and the flying debris.
- Remember to Anchor the Foundation
Apart from lifting the roof and collapsing the walls, a tornado can actually lift your entire home off the ground if it isn’t properly secured. Sounds quite scary, doesn’t it? Well, it is rather scary, which is they anchoring the foundation is one of the main steps to take when trying to get prepared for this natural disaster, and when trying to protect your property, your family, and yourself.
So, you can install anchor bolts to secure the foundation of the house. Then, you can use those metal braces or straps to actually connect the frame of the property to the foundation. And, clearly, you should always make sure that mobile homes are properly tied down with those anchors and straps.
- Secure the Windows and Doors
You’ve reinforced the roof and the walls. You’ve also anchored the foundation. Is that it? Or is there anything else you can do to make your property even safer? Well, this is a good start, but it certainly isn’t enough, especially not if you’ve forgotten to secure your doors and windows.
As access points to your home, these can leave the property quite vulnerable if not properly protected. You can use storm shutters made of aluminum or steel, and you can install metal doors that have a deadbolt and three hinges. But perhaps the most important thing to do is install impact-resistant windows, and thus prevent them from shattering under the pressure of the high winds and the flying debris.
Upgrading the windows is, without a doubt, extremely important. When you visit Paradise Exteriors or any other professionals that know a lot about how these windows work during natural disasters, you will get a much better understanding of why it is that you need to add them to your home. Furthermore, you’ll also understand some of the other benefits that they bring to the table, and you’ll figure out how to find and get an affordable solution – that is, perfectly installed great quality impact-resistant windows that will cost a reasonable amount of money, and that will last for a long time.
- Strategic Landscaping Can Enhance Wind Resistance
Now, here is something you may not have known. Yet, it can really be of crucial importance in tornado proofing your home. Basically, you can do some strategic landscaping to enhance wind resistance and make your property safer. For instance, you can use gravel instead of mulch near the house, and plant trees and shrubs around the property to reduce wind speed.
- Stay Up to Date With Those Building Codes
One final thing to remember is that you should always stay up to date with the building codes in your area. This is important because most tornado prone areas will have strict building codes, and following those is sure to enhance your safety during this natural occurrence. Furthermore, staying in compliance with those codes will maximize your insurance coverage. So, check those regulations and ensure that you comply with them.
