Hurricane

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

Hurricane

Are end gables securely fastened to the rest of the roof? In a hurricane, the side walls of the roof (end gables) take a real beating and can collapse. Gable bracing often consists of 2”x4”s placed in an “X” pattern at both ends of the attic: from the top center of the end gable to the bottom of the brace of the fourth truss, and from the bottom center of the end gable to the peak of the roof. If your end gables do not appear to be braced, use a licensed contractor to install bracing. Ask your local building department whether a building permit is required for this work. Are double entry doors secured at the top and bottom? The exterior walls, doors and windows are the protective shell of your home. If the shell is broken during a hurricane, high winds can enter the home and put pressure on the roof and walls, causing serious damage. For each double door, at least one of the doors should be secured at both the top of the door frame and the floor with sturdy sliding bolts. Most bolts that come with double doors, however, are not strong enough to withstand high winds. Your local hardware can help you select the proper bolts. Some door manufacturers provide reinforcing bolt kits made specifically for their doors.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/prevent/nhp/hurdam.pdf

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