When Nature’s Fury Meets Stone and Mortar: Protecting Your Long Island Masonry Investment from Hurricane Devastation
Long Island’s coastal location makes it uniquely vulnerable to hurricanes, with Atlantic storms gaining power as they travel long distances to reach our shores, particularly from August through October. For homeowners with masonry structures—from beautiful stone patios to sturdy brick chimneys—understanding how to prepare these investments for severe weather can mean the difference between minor repairs and catastrophic reconstruction costs.
The Unique Hurricane Risks Facing Long Island Masonry
While one does not usually think of New York as a state exposed to hurricanes, Long Island is a highly exposed region, with coastal property exposure increasing from $301.7 billion to $595.6 billion between 1988 and 1993. This dramatic growth in property values underscores the importance of protecting masonry structures that significantly contribute to home value and curb appeal.
Masonry structures face specific vulnerabilities during hurricanes. Un-reinforced masonry has not fared well in strong hurricanes, with most of the collapsed buildings in Hurricane Charley being un-reinforced masonry buildings. If the walls are tall or if the roof structure providing lateral support for the tops of the walls is damaged, un-reinforced masonry walls will collapse.
However, brick and stone are better equipped to resist the impact of flying debris, though it’s essential to properly reinforce masonry walls and all windows to ensure adequate protection. The key lies in understanding that it is not so much what material you build with, but how the whole structure is fastened together that becomes the key issue in the survival of a storm.
Essential Pre-Hurricane Preparation for Masonry Structures
Proper hurricane preparation for masonry begins long before storm season. The basic concept for properly securing a structure to withstand hurricane force winds is very simple: every major component of the structural system must be securely tied to each other and to the foundation so that there is a direct structural link between the roof and the ground.
For masonry walls, this means ensuring proper reinforcement. If masonry walls are not reinforced with a concrete and steel re-bar skeleton they are vulnerable to collapse in hurricane force winds. The masonry wall must be reinforced from top to bottom. Additionally, the key element is to stress the importance of securely anchoring the building to the foundations. When anchoring wooden and masonry walls to concrete slabs and foundations, anchor the walls every three to four feet (maximum) with a steel connector (anchor bolt or re-bar) from the wall to the foundation.
Strengthening Techniques for Existing Masonry
For homeowners with existing masonry structures, several strengthening techniques can significantly improve hurricane resistance. Vertical rebar and grout techniques involve filling hollow block cores with concrete grout and reinforcing with vertical steel rebar, creating a solid, reinforced concrete column within the wall.
Professional assessment is crucial, as it is not uncommon for un-reinforced masonry to fail in severe hurricanes. Cantilevered parapets are most at risk, but so are walls braced by ring beams and columns. This is where experienced long island masonry contractors become invaluable, providing the expertise needed to evaluate and strengthen existing structures.
The Importance of Professional Expertise
Working with experienced professionals makes all the difference in hurricane preparedness. Ageless Masonry, serving homeowners in Suffolk and Nassau Counties on Long Island, NY, with the highest-quality paving and masonry services since 2003, understands the unique challenges facing Long Island properties. Great service always begins and ends with experienced and friendly professionals, which is why you can count on an owner to be present for every aspect of your job, aiming to not only meet your needs, but also to exceed your expectations.
The company’s commitment to quality is evident in their approach: Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Please call us today to discuss your residential or commercial masonry needs. We will be happy to give you a free and fair estimate right away.
Post-Hurricane Recovery and Repairs
Even with proper preparation, some hurricane damage may occur. Concrete is subject to incredible stress during a hurricane, with damage caused by wind or pieces of debris landing on surfaces. Quick response is essential, as water intrusion is one of the most serious forms of building damage from hurricanes, with damp conditions creating breeding grounds for mold and mildew.
Professional assessment and repair become critical in post-storm recovery. Having an experienced professional take care of concrete repairs, masonry upgrades and external post-tensioning work in response to hurricane building damage ensures that repairs not only restore functionality but also improve future storm resistance.
Investment in Resilience
Hurricane preparedness for masonry structures represents a smart investment in both safety and property value. Hurricane resistant homes cost about 10% more than traditional construction, but they often fare far better in storms with a 99% success rate in past hurricanes. The upfront investment typically pays for itself through insurance savings and avoided repair costs.
For Long Island homeowners, the combination of professional expertise, proper reinforcement techniques, and proactive preparation creates the best defense against hurricane damage. With experienced contractors like Ageless Masonry providing guidance and skilled workmanship, protecting your masonry investment from nature’s fury becomes an achievable goal rather than an overwhelming challenge.
As hurricane season officially runs from June through November but we should always be prepared for any type of disaster, whether natural or man-made, the time to act is now—before the next storm threatens our Long Island shores.