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Viral Ratchet Strap Roof Hack Saves Family’s Home From Hurricane Milton, But Experts Have Doubts
Interview With Expert
The family of a man who got ridiculed online for securing the roof of his house using several ratchet straps felt vindicated this morning as the daughter proudly showed their Florida home unscathed in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
“We are blessed to have no crazy damages to the home,” the clip captions. In it, she is seen giving her viewers a tour of her backyard with the straps still secured in place.
Highlights
- Family secures roof with ratchet straps, house survives Hurricane Milton unscathed.
- The viral ratchet strap method sparks discussions, with some seeing business potential.
- Experts warn straps don't protect against flooding or wall damage.
- Critics note surrounding areas remained unharmed without roof straps.
Netizens who had previously made fun of the security measure congratulated them on getting through the storm safe and sound, with some going so far as to ask them to turn the installation of such tie-down straps into a job.
“You and your dad should make installing these into a business!” one viewer wrote.
RELATED:
The family of a house that went viral for having their roof secured to the ground with ratchet straps felt vindicated after the building endured the storm unscathed
Image credits: simplyuniquesmiles93
As the dramatic images of the house being tied down using ratchet straps went viral in the hours before Milton’s landfall, manufacturers realized how profitable marketing their products as “hurricane-proof” could be.
One such business quickly branded their straps as “Hurricane Straps,” promising “unbeatable security during extreme weather.”
@simplyuniquesmiles93 We made it through our second Hurricane and we are blessed to have no crazy damages to rhe home. My prayers still continue to those heavily affected during this time. Me and my dad are about to drive to see if anyone needs help🙏🫶🏼🏠#HurricaneMilton#CentralFL#Orlando#FLhomegoesviral#homestrappeddown#homedepot#lowes#USCC#cargocontrolstraps#acehardware#CNN#wash2news#spectrumnews#telemundo#univision#dailymail#abcnews#ukradiostation ♬ Inspirational – neozilla
While such straps are commonly known in the trucking industry and widely used to carry large and heavy amounts of cargo, manufacturers are now adding “house protection” to their product descriptions.
“Designed to withstand intense winds, the seat belt webbing gives these straps high tensile strength, ensuring that your structures, boats, or trailers stay anchored during storms,” the page reads, offering items priced at $25 to $58 depending on length.
Experts are skeptical of the measure, pointing out how it does nothing to protect a house against flooding, debris, and damage to the walls
Image credits: lk2499
Risk management experts, however, have warned that using such products to protect homes’ roofs may be nothing but a placebo effect.
“Securing the roof of a house like this does nothing to protect it against damages to its windows and walls,” explained Cristóbal Mena, Resilience and Crisis Consultant.
“Houses in Florida are required to comply with the state’s building code, which mandates the installation of hurricane ties, metal connectors that add an extra layer of structural integrity to roofs.”
Image credits: lk2499
For Mena, complying with regulations is paramount to ensuring a house’s security. “People should focus on protecting their windows and garage doors and make sure entrances are well sealed to protect against flooding.”
@lk2499 Man straps down his home as milton arrives in florida #florida #update #usa🇺🇸 #breakingnews #hurricane #fyp #viral_video #milton ♬ original sound – LK24/99
While some viewers celebrated the family house’s surviving the hurricane without damages, others were more skeptical of the method, pointing out how the surrounding area, including trees and neighboring houses, was equally as unscathed despite no ratchet straps protecting it.
“From what I see, nothing much happened in that area. Every other house is intact!” a user remarked.
Readers interested in Cristóbal Mena’s tips on safety, risk, and disaster management can follow him on his X account.
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What do you think ?
TheBlueBitterfly 2 months ago
Okay yes we know it doesn't protect the windows and walls. It's not supposed to. It's yo provide additional protection to keep the roof from being blown off, that's all. And while I think that it can provide sone help.. how long are those tie-down stakes? How deep? How solid is the ground? That is your weakest point. I think for older homes without a reinforced roof, this could be beneficial as an ADDED measure. Obviously not the only measure.
Bob Brooce 2 months ago
The holding power of the stakes is almost certainly the weakest link, and for many reasons. First, the holding power would be somewhat reduced if the ground gets wet, and after wind the big thing hurricanes are known for is water. Regardless of what happens in that regard, the angle of pull is completely wrong, unless perhaps he was afraid the entire, intact, house might blow sideways. By tightening the straps he already put a substantial lateral load on them, and any upward force on the roof would multiply the load significantly. In fact, it creates what's know as a "vector pull" which can be deliberately used to increase your ability to pull on something. His angle isn't as severe, but here's a picture of how dramatically the load can be increased. Untitled-6...c486f4.jpg 
Weasel Wise 2 months ago
Being made of brick and mortar rather than drywall is a big help too.
M O'Connell 2 months ago
It's not "made of brick and mortar" it's a wood-framed structure clad in brick veneer. The brick isn't load bearing on any structure built in the last 80 years.
Load More Replies... TheBlueBitterfly 2 months ago
Okay yes we know it doesn't protect the windows and walls. It's not supposed to. It's yo provide additional protection to keep the roof from being blown off, that's all. And while I think that it can provide sone help.. how long are those tie-down stakes? How deep? How solid is the ground? That is your weakest point. I think for older homes without a reinforced roof, this could be beneficial as an ADDED measure. Obviously not the only measure.
Bob Brooce 2 months ago
The holding power of the stakes is almost certainly the weakest link, and for many reasons. First, the holding power would be somewhat reduced if the ground gets wet, and after wind the big thing hurricanes are known for is water. Regardless of what happens in that regard, the angle of pull is completely wrong, unless perhaps he was afraid the entire, intact, house might blow sideways. By tightening the straps he already put a substantial lateral load on them, and any upward force on the roof would multiply the load significantly. In fact, it creates what's know as a "vector pull" which can be deliberately used to increase your ability to pull on something. His angle isn't as severe, but here's a picture of how dramatically the load can be increased. Untitled-6...c486f4.jpg
Weasel Wise 2 months ago
Being made of brick and mortar rather than drywall is a big help too.
M O'Connell 2 months ago
It's not "made of brick and mortar" it's a wood-framed structure clad in brick veneer. The brick isn't load bearing on any structure built in the last 80 years.
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