| Kris Glover |
| (Registered User) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 02:41 AM |
Need Preparation help...
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Leaving is not an option... but my problem is, this is my first hurricane in my house. The house is old. I tried to attach plywood with tapcon screws, and they came right out... did not grip at all. is there another way to attach some kind of protection? Also, does the wood need to be flush with the window?
| Tazmanian93 |
| (Weather Master) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 02:43 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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You probably used a drill bit too big, try using Tapcon Storm Panel Anchoring System
| Prospero |
| (Storm Tracker) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 02:45 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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Where are you (in general anyway)?
What kind of surroundings do you have (urban, rural, trees, construction,...)?
Do you know your elevation?
| Lamar-Plant City |
| (Storm Tracker) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 02:52 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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Quote:
Leaving is not an option... but my problem is, this is my first hurricane in my house. The house is old. I tried to attach plywood with tapcon screws, and they came right out... did not grip at all. is there another way to attach some kind of protection? Also, does the wood need to be flush with the window?
If you can drill into it, use anchors for concrete hammered into the holes...if you get the correct size they should hold even if the concrete is a little crumbly and won't hold the Tapcons.....worth a try.
| Kris Glover |
| (Registered User) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 04:11 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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Southwest Florida. Urban area but my yard has a lot of trees... I'm like a few hundred yards from a major river.
Bear in mind, no one has anything for sale at this point. So I'm sitting here with plywood and screws and nothing goes with anything and I don't have any clue what to do. But watch my house wash away.
| Prospero |
| (Storm Tracker) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 04:19 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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Couple or so thoughts...
If you can't get the plywood to work outside, do what you can inside and maybe pile up some weight to help keep broken glass, wind, and water out.
Sounds like flooding may be a bigger problem. Know your escape rout, and how to negotiate it in adverse weather, quickly if need be.
Reconsider whether or not you can leave.
| cieldumort |
| (Moderator) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 04:20 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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If you are going to be in the eyewall, consider it like a long duration tornado.
Irma should be moving fast enough that the river may not flood, unless it is flood prone.
If you are in an evacuation zone for surge, you just got to go. Somewhere else during the storm away from the surge, and protected. Are there any shelters open at all, for example?
| Kris Glover |
| (Registered User) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 04:45 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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There will be shelters. My wife and daughter should be able to make it there if evacuation becomes mandatory. I myself will be working through the storm.
My concern here is having no way to protect my house at all. Right now, I don't appear to even be able to mitigate damage.
| DMFischer |
| (Weather Hobbyist) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 05:12 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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Here is a thought. I don't know if it is workable but call your local fire station. Ask them if they know of any one that could help you right quick. Those guys know your area and someone in the station will know the flood areas. They might even throw the boards up for you. Might. It is worth a shot and a call. Even your local PD. I think they would rather help now than rescue you later.
Good Luck
| Bev |
| (Weather Guru) |
| Fri Sep 08 2017 05:22 AM |
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Re: Need Preparation help...
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If you don't feel that the house is safe, don't wait for a mandatory evacuation. Sometimes they err on the side of caution in not issuing mandatory evacuations because they don't think everybody can get out in time, which is even more dangerous than hunkering down. Use your own common sense and if you don't think you're safe, you probably aren't. Find out where your local shelter is and plan to get (wife and daughter) there before you can't get there anymore. Insurance covers hurricane damage. The deductible is usually a bit higher, but you'll get a brand new roof and windows. Live to fight another day.