Florida’s hurricane season is upon us, and anyone who lives in the Sunshine State knows that the damage from wind and water can be devastating.

You’ve been watching the weather forecast and stocking up on essentials like canned food, water, flashlights, and extra batteries. But is your home ready? Sounds like it’s time to work through a hurricane preparedness to-do list in order to get your home set to face the force of Florida hurricane season.

Check for leaks

Any opening that will allow water to penetrate into your home can do serious damage. Let’s check doors, windows, walls, and areas where cables and pipes enter.

Trim trees and shrubbery

Any branches that are rubbing off your roof right now or coming close to your windows could do serious damage during a storm, so it’s a good idea to prune back trees and shrubs to minimize damage.

Clean gutters

We hear you – this is the job that no-one wants to do, but we can’t put it off forever now that hurricane season is almost upon us. You see, we need to prevent water from splashing up against the roof or under the roof covering causing damage, so roll up those sleeves.

Secure items

Garbage bins, lawn chairs, and barbeques – don’t let them become unidentified flying objects during a hurricane; tie them down.

Electrical surges

Go ahead and unplug electronics before a storm, even if you have a surge protector since we don’t want your home to suffer any surge related damage. Prepare for power outages and consider picking up a basic generator.

Insurance

Check the small print of your insurance – are you covered by wind and flood damage? Anyone purchasing additional insurance to cover wind and flood damage needs to remember the thirty-day waiting period on many policies.

Wind mitigation

Consider a wind mitigation inspection to determine the appropriateness of your home’s construction in the event of strong winds. We look for construction features that have been shown to reduce losses in hurricanes. Many homeowners with windstorm insurance can often submit the results of a windstorm inspection to their insurer to obtain discounts on their windstorm insurance.

Roof inspection

Before the winds pick up, look for missing or lose tiles or shingles to be repaired or replaced, and reseal seams if needed. Check to make sure roof trusses have enough bracing or install a metal roof strap.

Windows and doors

Windows and doors can be the chink in the armor of your home – they’re weak spots because they can allow wind into the house which will wreak havoc. Inspect seals and seams, resealing if needed. Invest in shutters and install a bolt kit at your door.

Preparation is key

If you need professional help getting your home ready, we’re standing by to guide you. After all, your home is your biggest investment, so let’s make sure we protect it from damage.

Call us to talk about how we can help you bolster your home’s defense against hurricanes.

Your home is at the heart of what we do, contact us today!