Are the storm shelters easy enough to install myself?
Yes, they are! All you need is a 1-1/8” & 1-1/16” wrench & socket, crescent wrench, concrete hammer drill, with 5/8” concrete bits, and a large rubber mallet.
Why does your door swing outward? Wouldn’t I get trapped?
We get this question a lot. And this is a very valid question. However, an outward swinging door is far safer than an inward swinging door. It takes far less force to push in an inward swinging door, than it does an outward swinging door. Think about when you try to push on a door that is actually meant to be pulled. You’re not going to get the door to open. In addition, if there is debris up against the door, if you were to have an inward swinging door, that debris is now going to collapse in on you inside of your shelter. From our experience, search and rescue teams are on scene of tornado devastated areas within minutes, so you will be found safe and alive no more than a couple hours later.
Can I return my unit after I have purchased it?
Once we have received your payment to order the unit, all sales are final and non-refundable. The Buyer understands and agrees that once the payment for the Product has been made, no returns or refunds will be granted under any circumstances, except as required by applicable law. This includes, but is not limited to, cases where the Buyer experiences a change of mind, a change in circumstances, or if the Product is found to be unsuitable or unnecessary after the purchase.
Would the storm shelter lift or move in a tornado?
The shelters are anchored into concrete with a bolt system that can withstand a lifting force of 45,000 pounds, equivalent to an EF-5 tornado.
What testing do the storm shelters undergo?
Our storm shelters and safe rooms have been tested and certified by the Texas Tech Wind Science & Engineering Research Center and meet FEMA standards.
Do you do any concrete work?
Storm Shelters of Iowa does not pour the concrete. The concrete must be in place before our installation contractors arrive. We can recommend a concrete company that we have worked with. Read more about the minimum concrete slab requirements
Does the door lock on the storm shelter?
Yes, the door locks to prevent it from being blown open. The door hinges are located on the interior of the shelter to prevent malicious tampering.
Where would I put one of these storm shelters?
Most commonly, shelters are needed when the homeowner does not have a basement. These shelters require at least four inches of concrete in order for the shelter to be properly anchored down. A common area that people often install their storm shelter is in their garage because they can accommodate the space, and it also provides the needed concrete needed to install the shelter.
Can I put a storm shelter in the basement?
If your basement is a walkout basement, it is possible to install a storm shelter in the basement. If your basement is not a walkout, it is nearly impossible to get the metal panels down basement stairs due to the weight and size of each panel.
How strong are the exterior walls of a shelter?
Very strong! They are 1/4 inches thick and made out of 50-grade steel, which will deter objects thrown over 150 miles an hour.
Do you offer financing?
While we do work with a local bank in the Des Moines, Iowa metro, we recommending working with your local bank to secure funding as they will be the best to help get you the best interest rate possible. The two most common ways to get a loan through the bank is either through a home equity loan, or a personal loan that is secured by personal collateral.
Are the storm shelters grounded?
Our units can be grounded. It is strongly encouraged to ground the unit if it is going to be outdoors. However, this is something that a certified electrician would have to do. Storm Shelters of Iowa cannot ground the unit. A certified electrician will connect a grounding wire from any bolt hole on the unit and will run the proper grounding to ground the unit.
Is there any fabrication while installing the unit?
Almost all of the time, installation of our units is as simple as putting bolts through holes and tightening down the nuts. However, every now and then a unit may require a little grinding due to a piece of metal being a hair too long. A metal file or grinder will help shave down the edge just enough to cause the bolt holes to line up. If you are self-installing and have any concerns, contact Storm Shelters of Iowa.
Does all of the hardware come with the storm shelter?
Yes! If you are ordering one of our storm shelters as a DIY project, all of our shelters come with a box of all of the hardware that you will need. This box is on the top of the pallet with all of the panels strapped to the pallet and then shrink wrapped.
Do your storm shelters have a warranty?
Yes, our storm shelters have a 5-year limited warranty.
Can you ship the unit to me?
Yes, we can ship the unit to anywhere in the United States. We ship to the nearest freight center to your location for customer pick-up via a freight carrier (FedEx, Saia, ect.). The pieces are stacked on top of a pallet, and then banded and shrink-wrapped to it. Pricing of shipping is dependent on unit size and location of where the unit will be shipped to.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we do. However, there is a 3.5% fee applied at checkout.
How long does it take to get the unit?
Production of our units can range from 3 to 6 weeks, but all depends on the amount of orders in production. We will inform you of the current production time when we put your unit into production. If you are having us install the unit, installation will then be scheduled once the unit has arrived at our installers. Installation is typically scheduled within a 2 to 3 week period after the unit arrives.
Do you sell just a steel door?
Due to liability reasons, we do not sell just the steel door if you are constructing your own concrete storm shelter. Our door must be installed with our trademarked steel shelter design for safety reasons.