How to verify that your house was built with hurricane straps - In response to Hurricane Irma

Quick video showing how to check if your house has hurricane ties. If you live in South Florida you definitely want to verify this.
If you don't see them, contact a qualified roofer to further inspect your roof and find out how much it would be to install them if they are missing. Chances are if you don't have them, your roof is nearing the end of its life expectancy anyway and it's a good idea to start pricing out new rafters and/or a roof with hurricane straps installed. If your home was built in Broward or Dade after 1993 and you don't have them, I'd contact an attorney to find out who needs to foot the bill to have your roof retrofitted.
*Quick correction, the RAFTER TIES I'm pointing out in the beginning of the video are technically TRUSS PLATES. I always call them rafter ties but this is not the correct technical term, and these are technically trusses and not rafters. Rafter ties and ceiling joists are interchangeable terms. Truss plates and rafter ties are not. My apologies in advance.

[@lpadron13]

This video is a great help and exactly what I needed to know as I try to secure my roof.

[@brandude0213]

Great video! Also, thank you for explaining the difference between rafter ties and hurricane straps

[@Anavllama]

Hi there, thanks for the tour. I would like a video showing how to help retrofit a finished home to make it more hurricane proof. That would be of more value.

[@capeheartriz]

older homes don't have straps....there are companies that will install clips....you can get an insurance deduction, I don't know if they are as good as the straps installed today...I doubt it....but better then nothing.....

[@michaelbaute8891]

Pretty sure that you weren't looking at hurricane ties, but rather truss plates that simply connect the members of the truss to itself. Hurricane ties are straps or brackets that connect the truss to the wall. They are at the bottom of the truss. The plates you shined your light on just hold the truss together.

[@michaelbaute8891]

I design trusses for a living in Florida.

[@djtrigger90]

Please watch the whole video!

[@rickrudd]

Indeed. They are truss plates.
Source: basic carpentry skills.

[@djtrigger90]

@@rickrudd For the nth time, NOT THE RECTANGULAR PLATE, BUT THE METAL STRAP BOLTED INTO THE EXTERIOR WALL AND WRAPPED AROUND THE RAFTER/TRUSS. Learn to listen for goodness sake.

[@rickrudd]

@@djtrigger90 Sorry.

[@Bobby-ns7gn]

How many nails are required for the straps by code, does any one know ? I here anything from 3 to 6, I am not sure. This old house in florida has 3 to 4 nails on some of the straps. Built in 73...........................

[@JuanaMariaGomez]

I am in texas - What kind of service or business I should look so they can check and make my house strong up to 250 miles per hour winds strong?

[@djtrigger90]

I'd start with a home inspector who specializes in coastal homes that deal with hurricanes.

[@bracsim]

Your house still not ready for hurricane, I will say that 99% of the homes in the United state are not hurricane ready, in order to be ready for hurricane your house need a solid concrete roof like homes in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba etc, no house with plywood and shingles is ready for hurricane, houses in the United States are nothing but beautiful pigeon lofts, that’s it. If I was you I won’t risk my family life riding a hurricane in that thing your call house.

[@miguelpinzon4783]

You don't even know what is a hurricane ties!

[@djtrigger90]

ni siquiera sabes que es un ingles

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@djtrigger90 he doesn’t speak English