Make your home as storm ready as possible
These tips can help prevent problems from high winds, for manufactured home and site-built home owners:
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Manufactured home appliances. Purchase sturdy “L-brackets” from the hardware store. Use them to anchor your major appliances to the walls or countertops of your home. Watch out for electrical hazards. If necessary, hire a professional.
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Manufactured home cupboards. Put child safety locks on all your cupboards.
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Mounting pictures. Use “V-hooks” to mount pictures and wall hangings instead of nails. These hooks enable pictures to shift without falling from the wall.
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Your roof. Prevent leakage from water driven by high winds. If you own a manufactured home and have a metal roof, recoat it as needed. Metal roof coating is available at lumber yards and hardware stores.
If you have a shingle roof, make sure shingles are not flapping in the wind. They can be secured with a black plastic roof cement commonly found in home improvement stores or lumber yards. Or you can purchase a coating made specifically for shingles – to coat and seal them on all edges. It usually gives about an extra 10-year life
span to the roof and prevents wind and water backup. -
Exterior repairs. Repair exterior siding, awnings, gutters, downspouts and brackets if loose, damaged or dangling. On a manufactured home, make sure skirting is properly vented.
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Manufactured home water heater and furnace. Securely attach these to your home.
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Utilities. Learn how to quickly disconnect breakers in the service box for your water, gas and electric. If there’s time, turn off these utilities before leaving your home to seek shelter.
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Hazardous objects. Keep your yard free of poles, shovels, bikes and other loose articles. These can become hazardous flying objects during severe windstorms.
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Underneath your manufactured home. Don’t store flammable, caustic, hazardous material, newspapers or grass clippings.
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Manufactured home tie-downs. Have a trained professional install proper tie-downs on your home and sheds.
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Windows. Consider replacing older windows with modern impact-resistant glass.
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Debris and leaves. Keep your roof free of debris and leaves that can rot and deteriorate roofs.