Hurricane Wind Damage

Hurricanes pose three principal threats to property and persons:  wind, tidal surge, and flooding.    Since there are no known ways to mitigate damage to property vulnerable to tidal surge or flooding from torrential rains, other than sandbagging or raising the structure above ground level, the focus of this blog will be wind damage.

Insurance companies recommend wind mitigation inspections to assess the vulnerability of homes to wind damage and to allow home owners to do all they can to reduce this potential. 

Following Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the state legislature passed a law that requires stricter building codes for all new homes built in Florida.  The law also allows for insurance companies to give insurance discounts to owners of homes built before the law was enacted, if those owners add features which would put their homes in compliance and would therefore greatly lessen the likelihood of damage in high winds.

Butler Builders, Inc. specializes in Wind Mitigation inspections and can complete the considerable paperwork needed for you to submit to your insurance company to reduce your premiums.  They can also work with you to bring your home up to code in any area you might be lacking in order to make your home better equipped to come through Florida’s frequent hurricanes.  Keep in mind also, that we have many incidences of high winds in other storms besides hurricanes.

Contact Butler Builders, Inc. before the next “Andrew” or other natural disaster can wreck havoc on your biggest investment, your home.

http://butlerbuildersinc.com

2012 Hurricane Season Has Begun

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near normal 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and says, “The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew underscores the necessity to prepare every year.”

For 2012,  NOAA predicts 9-15 named storms.  The average season for the past 20 years produced 12 named storms with 6 hurricanes, including 3 that were designated as “major.”  In 1992, Andrew, the first named Tropical Storm of that year, hit South Florida in August with devastating effects.

This year the season began early when both Tropical Storms Alberto and Beryl developed several days before the June 1^st official start of the hurricane season.  This was the first time this had happened since 1908.

With the recent hit by Tropical Storm Debby and the major damage caused by rain and wind, homeowners are reminded to have their homes checked by a certified inspector such as Butler Builders, Inc.  Butler Builders is also a State of Florida licensed Certified General Contractor and can advise homeowners on bringing any deficiencies they might have for severe weather readiness up to code, making their homes safer.

Florida is now entering the heart of the hurricane season. Call today!

http://butlerbuildersinc.com/

Hurricane Season is Here

                                                                                                                                               The official start of Hurricane Season is June 1st, and the end is November 30^th, although hurricanes and severe weather can certainly occur outside these six months.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Be prepared, and make sure your home is ready to withstand hurricane force winds and rain intrusion damage.   

http://butlerbuildersinc.com/

                                                                       

Think About a Garage Addition for Your Home

Besides protecting your second most valuable asset – your car- from the elements, you can eliminate the worry of constantly removing items that would attract an overnight opportunity of passing theft. Even in the best of neighborhoods, thieves can intrude and car windows are often broken to snatch electronic equipment, cell phones, attaché cases, or purses and packages.

Adding a garage to your home is a also a good way to make your home more livable by giving room to keep useful, bulky items accessible. Consider areas in the garage for storing sports equipment to free up inside closet space. Often these items can be hung on the garage wall.  Smaller items like balls and gloves can be stored in bins stacked together.  Also, lawn maintenance and gardening items can be stored all together and a work station set up with tools hung in sight and handy on a pegboard. 

By adding some simple racks, bikes, skateboards, and such can be kept lined up and secure along one side of the garage.

Garages also provide a good indoor, out-of-the-weather location to work on large projects and on projects that will take a while to complete and which would be in the way on the dining room table. Storage can also be set up to keep seasonal items such as Christmas decorations and free up inside closet storage space, making the main house much less cluttered.

Garages also add value to your home in giving square footage, under roof and with floor and windows, that can be seen as an easy way to add living space to a home if another room is needed. Most garages are easily converted and in general, garages are an excellent value as additions to an existing home.

http://http://www.butlerbuildersinc.com/

UPDATING FLOORS WITH WOOD LAMINATE

Replacing old carpet with laminate wood flooring is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your home.  Laminate wood flooring, particularly in the living/dining area provides a highly valued contemporary remodel.  This flooring is low maintenance and durable and also adds considerable value and attraction to any possible future resell.

There is a wide range of laminate flooring available to suit every need and décor.  Laminate comes in many shades from beech and light maple to dark walnut and mahogany.  Durability is exceptional and options are many. Installing these floors now takes less time with new installation systems, and subflooring, if needed, also has improved with appropriate choices available for individual needs.

http://www.butlerbuildersinc.com/

Florida Insurance Regulations

Proposed Florida law may require 4 Point Inspections to be made prior to home loans and refinancing by financial institutions.

As a homeowner, it is certainly a good idea to keep yourself aware of the condition of important components of your home, often your most expensive investment.  

Just as periodic checks and maintenance are recommended for automobiles and computer systems, they are recommended for your roof, electric, plumbing, and A/C & heat systems.

Call a Florida Certified General Contractor, such as Butler Builders Inc, to complete the inspections and follow up with a proposal for any needed repairs to bring your home up to standard for insurance purposes.

http://www.butlerbuildersinc.com/

Sun Damage to Florida Homes

There’s been a lot of talk recently about extreme weather causing water and wind damage to homes and the necessity of being vigilant for weaknesses in home structure that could lead to this water and wind damage.

But don’t forget about sun damage over the long haul.  Florida’s sun can dry up caulking and lead to energy loss from heating during cold weather and from air-conditioning during our long hot summers (remember them!)

Also decks, fences, and other outdoor wood need periodic waterproof painting/staining to maintain their value and integrity

So we encourage homeowners to have overall inspections to insure that they keep their homes in top shape for all of our Florida weather.

SB

http://www.butlerbuildersinc.com/