METAIRIE, La. — While the tropics are calm, now is the time to take steps to storm-proof your home.
There are some simple things that can make a big difference to lower your risk.
Here are some tips from home builders.
Let's start with advice from the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans on what you should do now.
Tip 1: Have plywood cutouts or shutters
Window protection is paramount, not only in avoiding costly replacement damage, but also in keeping water and debris from entering the house as well as glass shattering and sending sharp stray shards throughout the house.
Tip 2: Lock and brace garage door
Garage doors are simply not as sturdy as other materials constructing the building walls and shell. Garage doors should be secured to keep them closed and the contents inside safe and dry.
Tip 3: Trim trees
“Make sure that you've got your plywood cutouts, you've got shutters. Make sure that you're locking your garage door, and bracing it because that's a big area of weakness in your home," recommended Dan Mills CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans. "Trimming the trees around your property, and making it safe in advance."
Tip 4: Call a contractor to inspect your roof
One of the main things you can do now in anticipation of a storm coming, is have a contractor come out and look at your roof to see if there are any weak spots that he or she can tighten up.
“A lot of roofing companies offer free inspections. I'm a firm believer within a five-year span, you should have a qualified contractor that offers inspections come out,” said Dual Yelverton, area manager for River Parishes, Houma-Thibodeaux, Arcane Inspections.
Tip 5: Check if your attic needs reinforcement braces
Ask if reinforcement braces in your attic will make your roof stronger.
Tip 6: Change your attic vent
Change the turbine attic vent to a flat one-piece instead of the two-piece taller one that is more easily ripped off by high wind.
Tip 7: Read a wind mitigation survey
Consider a wind mitigation survey by a state-approved inspector, like Arcane.
“The more information, and more documentation we have on these, the better it is for their knowledge for the insurance side to keep them in the state,” said Yelverton.
Tip 8: Speak to a qualified home inspector
If you're renovating, or building, inspectors like Arcane follow every step, making sure it is above code standards to certify it for an insurance discount.
Tip 9: Be careful about using blue tarps
Now after the storm, Mighty Dog Roofing says blue tarps can just blow away.
“They need to put an underlayment down. You'll see a lot of that on there now from people who still have it from Ida, because if it's put on correctly, you have time to wait your insurance out, and your house is not going to take on any more damage,” said Timra Couto, General Manager, and partner of Mighty Dog Roofing, who is also on the board of the HBA.
Tip 10: How to request a permit if your home is damaged
If you have more than 50 percent roof damage, now you will need a Jefferson Parish permit before you fix it.
“And we make it as easy as possible. You can do it online. We don't have to have an inspector come to your house. We will take the geofixed imagery, and photographs to approve the permit,” explained Jefferson Parish President, Cynthia Lee Sheng.
Tip 11: Know qualified contractors in your area
Keep a list of your reputable contractors, so you don't have to worry about storm chasers knocking at your door. And if they are a member of your parish's Home Builders Association, you know they are local, licensed, and insured.
The Home Builders Association also has consumer education. And you can check to see if a contractor's license is up to date on their website.
Or check with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
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