Hurricane season prep: weak spots in your home that could cost thousands

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—New research reveals the biggest weak spots in homes during hurricane season, and some may surprise you.

Scientists at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a nonprofit research facility in South Carolina, are putting homes to the test by simulating hurricane-force winds to see what actually fails. The findings could help homeowners protect their properties and save thousands of dollars in potential damage.

"We can recreate conditions in a severe thunderstorm, or even up to a Category 3 hurricane," a researcher said.

When it comes to hurricanes, wind and water are the greatest risks. Experts say a home's first line of defense is the roof and keeping it intact is critical when winds pick up.

"When winds blow up against a structure, it exerts a pressure. It is trying to pull the roof up off of your home, it's trying to pull the walls out, and what your home does is try to hold itself together," a researcher said.

Not all roofs perform the same. Researchers found that metal roofs had failure rates of less than 5% when installed properly, while asphalt shingles failed more than half the time, allowing water to get inside and causing costly damage.

Strengthening other areas of a home is also key. Garage doors, in particular, play a crucial role in protecting the entire structure.

"90% of the homes whose garage door survived the storm did not see roof structural damage," a researcher said.

Experts say installing a wind-rated garage door and adding protections such as a sealed roof deck can significantly reduce damage during a storm. Preparation now means better protection later, according to WINK News Weather Authority Meteorologist Oceana Hayden.

More information about preparing homes for hurricane season will be available Saturday at the Cape Coral Hurricane Expo. WINK's Weather Authority team will also take part to help residents get ready.