Live in the Alief Area and heard that even Katy has the possiblity of getting 100+ miles per hour wind. I dont want some debris reaching that speed and destroying my windows and have flying glass in my house. I have 3 kids so I'm concerned a bit. I dont think I should buy playwood but I dont know about the tape. If anybody has insight please let me know.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/rita/3362775 Avoid using masking or duct tape on windows, he said. Instead, purchase plywood to board up windows. Clips can be purchased to secure the wood, which can also be fastened with screws drilled into the mortar between bricks. Secure front and back doors — especially double doors — with extra locks. Lawn furniture, pet houses, trampolines and potted plants should be placed inside a garage, he said. From what I've been reading about preperations, taping the windows won't protect anything and will be a pain in the ass trying to undo.
Ive heard duct taping windows, unless they're really small windows, is virtually useless. Quarterinch plywood is the way to go.
Every source I've seen has said not to tape your windows - that it's a waste of time and makes for a big mess later.
good thread tested. Katy resident here. It's true about the 100mph winds you mention. I ain't taping or boarding up SQUAT. There's NOTHING that could save my windows. There's also no danger, for my neighborhood is new and trees are no taller than about 10 feet with small branches everywhere. At least that's what I hope.
I Live off Westhimer and Kirkwood area..so i am not sure what kind of hit we would expect...im figuring not much but i guess i could be wrong.
Yeah, taping isn't meant to keep your windows from breaking, it's meant to keep the glass together so that when it does break so that you have as little tiny shards of glass flying into your face as possible. It's a b**** to remove though. Plywood is better, but unless you prepare for it way beforehand, you're pretty much screwed.
A good idea, if you plan on duct taping your windows, is to first put a layer of painters tape on and then put the duct tape on top of the painters tape. Comes off alot easier after everything dies down.
Nobody in my neighborhood seems to be doing anything except buying supplies incase power, gas and water is cut. I lieve in Alief as well.
I would only use duct tape or masking tape as a last resort, the adhesive left behind will be a pain in the arse... if you can, purchase the more expensive blue painters masking tape, it leaves no adhesive and will serve the same purpose, but it is more expensive.
Just be sure when you tape up windows to write something very clever with the tape. One letter per window, please. Everybody loves that. Like "Rita Sucks!" Ah, memories...
Ok, Superman... whatever. During Hurricane Alicia you wouldn't think stalks of straw/hay could do much damage, but the force of the winds drove the straw through tree trunks. All it takes is a branch of any kind to come hurtling through your window. Hell a toy from neighboring yards or a stake that was once in the ground can do it.
I was in Home Depot today. One of the workers there was wearing a sign that said, "NO PLYWOOD. NEXT SHIPMENT WED PM." I bought some metal siding I'm going to attempt to nail up. Cost me $100 for 9 long sheets. No one in my neighborhood is doing anything other than picking up loose stuff around the yard.
