Articles & News Related to Hurricanes and Shutters
TIPS IN REBUILDING YOUR HOME
If your home was recently damaged in this year's hurricanes, it is important that the rebuilding process be done properly to insure your damaged home can be built to withstand future storms. Choosing the right contractor who uses the right building materials and who pays attention to construction details is key to rebuilding your home.
Choosing a renovation or rehabilitation contractor is always a difficult process.
The best source of information is from ones you trust. Did you learn of the contractor from friends or acquaintances? Have they had a good experience with the contractor?
Has the contractor been in the community a long time?
Is the contractor willing to give you number of recent references, not just one or two?
Ask if the contractor will rebuild all elements to the latest hurricane requirements in the building code
When working with the contractor here is some technical issue to consider. These recommendations come from the PATH research.
Reduce dangerous uplift through the use of hurricane straps and clips. In hurricane-prone areas, use hurricane ties or clips to connect the roof to the wall system, which helps keep the roof on the home. Line up bracing and truss tie-down points, and anchor each level to the level below. Use light-gauge steel straps to anchor the first story to the foundation. Over the years, hurricane ties had a 92% success rate.
Wall bracing: Make sure that contractor in rebuilding walls uses a rated bracing material such as oriented strand board or plywood.
Construction practices with durability in mind: Material durability is key to future disaster resistance. Buy and install materials that will last. Also, attention to small details - lapping wall top plates at intersections with interior walls and attaching sheathing to a common stud in corner construction - can make all the difference, according to full-scale shear wall testing done by the NAHB Research Center.
Proper nailing schedule: Size, type and placement are all factors. Inadequate nailing in older building codes was implicated in the widespread roof sheathing damage in Hurricane Andrew. When inspecting roof-sheathing nails, attention to a gable end truss is especially important.
Ring-shank nails: To secure sheathing panels in hurricane-prone areas with basic wind speed of 110 mph or greater, ring-shank nails are necessary for their higher withdrawal capacity.
Protection from wind-borne debris: Reduce forces on the structure and minimize water and wind-related damages to the interior by protecting windows with approved shutters or properly fastened wood structural panels in coastal homes that might experience a hurricane.
Proper garage doors. If your garage door needs replacement, make your that your new door is reinforced to better resist hurricane force winds. Garage door failure opens homes to the full force of hurricanes with often-catastrophic damage to the home.
Assure quality and energy efficiency. In the haste to rebuild and restore, avoid building practices and materials result in homes and businesses that are not properly weatherized and energy efficient. By properly flashing and sealing buildings, you will minimize future water damage and mold growth. By selecting and properly installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment, lighting and appliances, and by weatherizing the buildings, you will maximize resources and minimize your future energy bills.
