Hurricane season officially begins this month! Now is the time to get prepared. We’ve got 9 tips to prepare your home for hurricane season.

Inspect Your Roof

Make sure you don’t have any missing tiles or shingles. Check for shingles near the edge that are brittle or loose. Have any necessary repairs made now.

CLEAN UP YOUR LANDSCAPE

Now is the time to remove any low-hanging branches and unstable bushes or trees. These items can easily become airborne during a storm. Proper tree pruning can also increase the likelihood that your trees make it through the storm. Additionally, cleaning up your yard now will allow plenty of time to have the debris hauled away.

Seal Windows & Doors

Leaking windows and doors can allow moisture in. Take the time to make sure that all of your windows are properly sealed. Not only does this protect your home during a storm, but it can also make your house more energy efficient.

Secure And Repair Attached Structures

Inspect things like carports, porches, decks, pergolas, and sheds to make sure they are securely attached. If they need any repairs, make them now.

Clean Out Gutters & Drains

Clean gutters and downspouts help prevent water from collecting around your home. By making sure gutters and drains are clear, you can help prevent instant flooding during a storm.

Stock Up On Plywood

If you don’t have storm panels, go ahead and stock up on plywood now. This is an affordable way to protect your windows from airborne objects. And stocking up now will ensure you can get supplies. Waiting till a storm is approaching may leave you unable to locate the materials you need.

Install Surge Protection

We’re talking about a whole house surge protector that can be added to your electrical panel. While this is something you’d need to hire an electrician for, these surge protectors can decrease the risk of power surges that can knock out your appliances and HVAC units.

Cover Your Air Conditioner

You may want to consider protecting your outdoor air conditioning unit from projectiles and airborne debris, which can cause damage to the system. Look into a manufacturer-approved protective cover. While many people may consider using a tarp or garbage bag, using these types of DIY solutions can void your warranty and trap moisture inside.

Inventory Items In Your Home

Each year, you should walk through your home and inventory your possessions.

There are a variety of apps available to help you document the contents of your house, as well as your insurance policies. This helps you keep track of what you own and what your policies cover.

We hope these tips to prepare your home for hurricane season will help you be ready in advance of a storm. Of course don’t forget to make sure you have your hurricane kit prepared, as well as a plan for your pets and an evacuation route. For more tips on Hurricane preparedness, check out the South Carolina Hurricane Guide.

 

Know the steps to take to protect your home from hurricane damage.

It’s September! As we look forward to things like cooler temps and the start of football season, we can’t forget that we’re also right in the middle of the hurricane season. In fact, early August through end of October is the peak of hurricane season in the Atlantic. Now is the time to make sure you have a plan and the supplies to protect your home in the event of a storm.

Here are a few tips to help shield your home from costly hurricane damage:

Secure Doors and Windows

If you don’t already have them, you may want to invest in storm shutters. Storm shutters are durable and will help protect your windows and doors from wind, rain, hail and flying debris. If you don’t have storm shutters, opt for plywood to board up windows before the storm arrives. Count and measure all of your windows and doors to be sure you have enough material on hand to do your board up. We’ve all seen how quickly supplies dwindle when a storm is on the way!

DO NOT TAPE WINDOWS. There is a common believe that taping your windows will help prevent cracks. Many experts say this is nothing more than a myth.

You also want to ensure that your door and window locks are secure. The last thing you want is a door or window flying open during strong winds.

Also take some time to caulk around doors and windows to prevent any moisture from entering the home and causing damage.

 

Reinforce Your Garage Door

Garage doors are often prone to wind damage thanks to their large size and the lightweight materials with which they are built. Although many newer garage doors are designed to withstand higher wind forced, if you have an older door you will want to consider some type of reinforcement. Bracing your door not only helps to prevent the door from breaking off the track, it will also help protect your roof. Did you know that when wind gets into the garage it creates a simultaneous push-pull with the wind swirling above the home and can cause the roof to fly off your house? So don’t forget about the garage.

Bracing kits are available for purchase from most home improvement stores. You can also research DIY methods online to see what works best for you.

 

Inspect and Repair Attached Structures

In addition to the garage, make sure any carports, porches, decks and sheds are in good repair and firmly attached. Don’t forget to clean out gutters and make any necessary repairs.

 

 

Trim Up Your Landscaping

A category 1 hurricane, with wind speeds between 74-95 miles per hour can cause large tree branches to snap and shallow rooted trees to fall. A category 4 storm can reach wind speeds between 130-156 miles per hour. That will uproot entire trees and power poles. To minimize the threat of damage caused by flying tree limbs, take the time to trim trees and bushes, removing any dead or weak branches. If you any trees that look unhealthy, have those trees removed. When an impending storm is on the horizon, you may want to also consider tying down any small trees or shrubs to help prevent uprooting.

 

Remove Patio Furniture

Although it probably goes without saying, don’t forget to move any patio furniture, flower pots, grills or other outdoor items to a secured indoor area. These items can also get blown about in strong winds and cause damage to your property or your neighbor’s property.

Preparing for a hurricane is not something that should wait until a storm is headed our way. By being proactive and preparing in advance, you stand a better chance of keeping yourself, your property and your belongings safe. Visit the National Hurricane Center and Ready.gov for more information on planning evacuation routes, building supply kits and much more.