Installing a storm shelter at your home in Marion, IL is a smart move for keeping your family safe. It is a fact that thunderstorms regularly sweep through the city. In addition, tornadoes are no stranger to the area with its geographic location in the Midwest and Ohio Valley.
Here at Baker & Sons Plumbing, we offer both above- and below-ground shelter options. Reinforced anchoring systems provide added structural stability for maximum wind resistance.
Contact Baker & Sons Plumbing now to learn about the latest storm shelter options for your home in Marion.
I will definitely be recommending Baker and Sons to everyone!! They were very professional and came quickly! I love how they sent a picture of the technician that was scheduled to come and the number he was going to be calling from. They went above and beyond and are fair priced. The technicians were very nice and explained everything that they were going to do. Very pleased with everything!
The installation process for storm shelters depends on whether it will be situated below or above ground. Both types offer verified safety against extreme winds for your family’s protection. However, many homeowners prefer below-ground options for their space-saving design and maximum debris shielding.
Site preparation is the first step for any storm shelter. We’ll prepare and pour a reinforced concrete pad if we are doing an above-ground unit. This slab serves as a foundation for the shelter’s weight. Below-ground shelters require deep excavation, usually about 6 to 8 feet. The exact size of the shelter is what determines the depth and width of the dig.
Here’s what happens after we pour the slab or dig the hole:
Anchor above-ground shelter to the slab
Lower below-ground shelter into place
Install doors, seals and ventilation
Final checks and walkthrough
We are an authorized retailer/installer for:
Tornado Shelters
Above-ground shelters go directly in your garage or part of your home’s interior space. We can also install them outside within a convenient and safe walking distance of your home. They give you a fast, easy way to stay safe and secure during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and high-wind events. We will custom fit the shelter to your home’s unique layout to ensure maximum protection without sacrificing accessibility. We have installed numerous above-ground tornado shelters in basements and reinforced utility or storage rooms.
Above-ground tornado shelters work best in these scenarios:
Limited outdoor yard space
High local water tables
Bedrock prevents deep digging
Family members with mobility issues
Keeping pets close and calm
Below Ground Shelters
Most people have below-ground units installed in their yard, a few feet from the back porch or main exit. Since these types require excavation, their setup process tends to be more labor-intensive and time-consuming. They provide the strongest form of protection against extreme winds and high-velocity debris due to their subterranean placement.
Some property owners have below-ground shelters installed under their garage floors. This way, there’s no need to exit the home to access the shelter. A floor hatch opens easily, seals tightly and supports the weight of a vehicle, providing convenient safety without losing parking space.
A close look at the benefits of below-ground shelters:
Natural earth-backed wall reinforcement
Safe from falling structure debris
Stays cool in summer heat
Tucked away out of sight
Keeps your yard looking clean
Schedule Your Consultation with Our Team
Storm shelters may look easy to set up, but they require a very coordinated approach. Our team takes care of all planning, site prep, anchoring and safety verification.
We will explain the different shelter options so you have a good understanding of each type’s pros and cons. The same as our below-ground options, our above-ground family shelters are safe for EF5 level winds. They are also wheelchair accessible thanks to their ground-level entry and low-profile thresholds. We encourage you to ask us about our various ADA options. Accessibility, yard space, and budget are some of the biggest factors that impact choosing the right shelter.
Your family’s safety is what matters most during storms and tornadoes. Contact Baker & Sons Plumbing now to see how storm shelters in Marion save lives and mitigate disaster risk.
Tornado Shelter FAQ
A) Federal Law prohibits FEMA from certifying any product. Some competitors might claim to be certified by FEMA, but those claims are misleading. Any contractors, individuals, or firms who state they are “FEMA approved” or “FEMA certified” are incorrect. Read more about FEMA’s stance on their website.
FEMA does provide criteria for ensuring the safety and reliability of tornado shelters. Family SAFE meets or exceeds all of FEMAs provided criteria in our tornado shelters.
Our tornado shelters are tested to withstand EF5 level winds at Texas Tech University and meet or exceed the criteria in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) and FEMA P-361 (FEMA, 2008b).
A) Our above ground tornado shelters are designed to meet or exceed the criteria in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) and FEMA P-361 (FEMA, 2008b). Our tornado shelters will offer the same near-absolute protection as an in-ground tornado shelter and have protected numerous families from EF5 tornadoes.
