There are four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and hurricane. Although we all know the season is coming as faithfully as the year before, it can still sometimes sneak up on us, throwing our entire day off and even causing damage to our property.
To help keep your family and belongings safe be proactive by collecting these 6 things your home needs before the next big storm.
1. Check the Trees
The saying is “hurricane-force winds” for a reason. These winds can easily blow a tree down, so checking for signs of structural damage to the trees beforehand will help you tell if they might be a victim of the winds.
Check for:
- Trees empty of birds, bugs, or other critters that might know a tree is unhealthy
- Mushroom growth on the surrounding of the base of the tree
- Gray or flaky roots
- Deep gouges or large holes in the bark
- Empty or barren branches near the tree’s crown
2. Prune the Trees
Pruning is an integral part of keeping trees healthy. Pruning strategically for the tree keeps it healthy and strong, keeping them safer from the hurricane. Pruning also helps remove branches that might break off during a storm. Prune your trees or hire professionals to well before hurricane season starts so loose branches and debris are gone before the storms come.
3. Check for Leaks
Torrential downpours are a given during a hurricane, and with rainfall of up to 60 inches, a storm can easily lead to flooding your home. Check along doors and windows for leaks, including their casing and rubber inserts. You should replace window panes with cracks well before hurricane season rolls through.
Also examine spots where cables and pipes enter walls for gaps that water can stream through. Remember that even if a crack is small, a stream of water can easily widen that gap and cause devastating flooding.
4. Clean Gutters
The last thing you need to do when a hurricane warning is handed down is scramble to the store to purchase the required supplies. To help ease your mind its best to be prepared with things your home needs before the next big storm. Have your window shutters, roof clips, garage clips, and other hurricane preparation items for your home stored in a nearby, easy-to-access place so you can protect your home. This will save precious time if a storm wheels around and lands unexpectedly in your backyard.
5. Have Supplies On Hand
The last thing you need to do when a hurricane warning is handed down is scramble to the store to purchase the required supplies. Have your window shutters, roof clips, garage clips, and other hurricane preparation items for your home stored in a nearby, easy-to-access place so you can protect your home. This will save precious time if a storm wheels around and lands unexpectedly in your backyard.
6. Get a Second Opinion
No offense intended, but you’re not a professional hurricane damage preventer. Something that may look fine to you can be a glaring alarm for a professional who can mitigate a disaster before it can happen. Two heads are better than one, after all.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t give any of us a detailed itinerary for when the next earth-shaking, tree-breaking, devastating neighborhood storm will roll in. The best measure to ensure your home isn’t the one on the news with thousands of dollars of damage is to ensure your home and property are always hurricane-ready.
To ensure you’re not missing anything, your home needs before the next big storm, head to our hurricane preparation page and check out our checklist.
