After a slow start this summer, the real hurricane season is about to kick off over the next month as we reach September. And with many of us still working to recover from two years ago, this League City company has an important message.
There were only two named storms between June 1 and August 15, the fewest in 20 years. But late August through September is the most dangerous and active times for storms to develop in the Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. National Weather Service recently forecast 10-17 storms in the Atlantic and experts predict a backloaded hurricane season this year.
There were 15 named storms last year, including Hurricanes Florence and Michael that killed a combined 96 people and caused more than $49 billion in damage. A storm is named when it reaches tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour.
Now is the time to get ahead of these dangerous storms and know how to prepare for when they may hit areas in the south over the next month.
Here are some tips about how homeowners can prepare for hurricane season and handle any problems that may come from flooding and water damage.
Know the Proper Sandbag Use
- If you buy sandbags, fill them with sand and not soil, but don’t over fill them. Fill them only 2/3 of the way. If they’re overfilled, they won’t lay flat. If they’re underfilled they’ll leave gaps which will allow the water to seep through. Here’s a PHOTO of properly filled sandbags.
- Don’t put sandbags directly on top of each other. You need to lay them on the tied opening of the sandbag next to it and underneath it to build a proper wall to stop water.
- To cover doors, duct tape a plastic tarp to the door and then lay down sandbags at the door’s opening as seen in this PHOTO. Sandbags alone without the plastic sheet may not stop water.
Be Aware of Outside Threats
- Clear debris from gutters and window sills because heavy rain causes water to drain unevenly, potentially damaging your roof or foundation.
- Add a longer downspout extension on your gutters to divert water farther away from home or business.
Check for Leaks to start
- Check every single window in the house to make sure they’re closed tightly.
- Before rain starts, place towels on the windows and buckets on floor. In heavy rains, you may have to change the towels and buckets several times. Remove wet towels and buckets or you risk mold growth which can start 24 hours after the rain hits.
- Put aluminum foil or pie plates underneath furniture legs to prevent staining.
- Moisture control your basement or crawlspace with a moisture barrier.
Don’t forget to take photos!
- Homeowners often don’t have any proof of their belongings or the condition they were in before the storm. You should take photos of every room in your house, as proof for the insurance company.
832.850.5332
What is mold? Mold is a common fungus found inside and outside, almost everywhere, year-round. Mold grows best in warm, damp environments and multiplies as microscopic spores. It travels through the air, attaching to structures like drywall, flooring and other materials in a home. Once it takes hold, mold in a house can multiply quickly in high humidity surroundings like basements, bathrooms and crawlspaces.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), if you see or smell mold, there is potential health risk and you should hire a professional mold detection company for cleanup and removal.
