Storm Prep with Hurricane Straps

Posted by Radmin on June 18th, 2019

Hurricane force winds in the categories between 3 to 5 can blow objects up to 75 to 150 miles per hour. These winds have been known to tear entire roofs off houses and carry them miles away. One simple project to help keep your roof intact during the next hurricane or heavy wind storm is hurricane strap installation in Florida.

Hurricane Straps

Hurricane straps are heavy-duty galvanized metal brackets that attach to the roof trusses on one end. The other end is attached to the wall framing, usually the ceiling joist of a house. The metal is a heavy-duty gauge to offer strength and durability. The metal is galvanized so it won’t rust and eventually weaken and potentially break apart.

You can hire out, or if you don’t mind climbing around in your attic, do it yourself. A word of warning, attics can be miserable places with heat and fiberglass insulation. And you will need to get into some pretty tight spaces. If the pitch of the roof is greater than 6-12, this mean the roof is open enough to move around and get close enough to work. If the roof pitch is less than 6-12, you will want to call in a company specializing in hurricane strap installation in Florida.

Getting to Work

Your first step is to determine how many hurricane straps you will need. Measure the perimeter of the house in feet and multiply that number by 12. Typically roof truss are set every 16 inches, so divide your perimeter number by 16 and that will give you the number of how many hurricane straps you will need. Every roof is constructed differently. There will be some areas that don’t need straps. Another way to determine the number of straps you’ll need is to climb up into the attic and count every place a truss is connected to an outside wall. The other thing you’ll need to purchase are galvanized nails or screws.  

Once you’re ready to start, climb up into the attic with your straps and nails and screws, as well as hammer and drill. A tool belt is handy to hold the nails, screws, and tools as you’ll be moving about quite a bit. Start in a corner and work to your right or left. Pull back the insulation that sits between the roof joists to expose the wood. It is quicker to nail then screw. Set the hurricane strap in place and drive in a nail in the truss to hold it in place. Then drive a nail into the ceiling joist. Be careful where you swing the hammer, because you’re in a tight space. And when you don’t have enough room to get a good whack at the nail, use the drill to put in screws. The hurricane straps have lots of holes. Be sure to drive in a good numbers and nail or screws in each end of the strap.

Work around the house adding as many hurricane straps as necessary, and you’ll have the piece of mind that your roof is more secure for the next time a hurricane rumbles into town.