Thankfully, the Northeast part of Florida is one of the least hurricane prone areas of the state. This portion of the state has only seen a total of 26 hurricanes, and only one of those was a category 3. That single strong storm hit this region 167 years ago. Despite the lower risk of a direct hurricane hit, this doesn’t mean you should slack on your hurricane season preparedness. All it takes is one strong storm, and you could be facing thousands of dollars in damage repairs.
Follow this checklist and get your home hurricane ready.
Reinforce Exterior Doors
Check the seals around your windows and doors. The hot Florida climate and harsh sun degrade the caulking and cause it to dry out and crack over time. When this happens, it weakens and leaks. It’s smart to replace older doors with updated ones that are storm rated. This prevents leaks and blow-ins.
Fiberglass doors are a smart replacement for older doors. They come in a wider range of designs for a custom look and are affordable. They also are energy efficient, helping to reduce your home energy costs.
Protect Windows With Hurricane Shutters
Typically, people wait until a hurricane is headed their way to protect their windows. Then, they rush out to the local hardware store, stock up on plywood, and frantically cover their windows. Purchasing window hurricane shudders in advance eliminates this task and allows you to focus on other more important tasks when a hurricane is headed your way.
Hurricane shudders made of aluminum or steel can withstand much higher wind speeds and harder impacts, making them more protective. You can also store them in your garage for future hurricane seasons, making them more economical.
Strengthen the Garage Door
A common weak point that many homeowners forget about is the garage door. These large doors often get blown in, and if you have an attic, they get sucked upward, causing more damage. Reinforce your garage door by purchasing vertical braces that reinforce the door. You’ll need two for a two-car garage door. There are kits available that you can buy and have installed so that all you have to do is add the braces when a storm comes.
Check the siding
If the siding on your home isn’t in good condition, then it can present a major risk to your home. Holes or tears in your siding are weak points where wind can catch and pull at it. In high winds, the siding will get pulled off and expose the entire side of your home. Siding is also the covering on your that takes the impact of airborne objects. Preparing for hurricane season is the perfect time to repair or upgrade your home’s siding with high quality, name-brand, and energy-efficient siding products.
James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
The siding offerings from James Hardie are traditional and timeless. As one of the most popular home siding brands in America, you can depend on its high quality products to protect your home. The siding is engineered with ColorPlus Technology and UV resistance. The company also focuses on region specific products, which means you can choose a siding product that’s specifically designed for protecting your home during hurricane season.
Kaycan
The state-of-the-art production process for Kaycan’s vinyl siding ensures it’s the highest quality. Thanks to the company’s dedication to research and development, its siding can protect your home in extreme climate conditions. The proprietary two-step system includes a Polycoat 9000 topcoat that’s fade-resistant and low maintenance. You also have a range of options, including vinyl, aluminum, engineered wood, and polymeric siding.
Ecoshel Smart-Shingle System
Give your home a customized look with the cedar shingle system from Ecoshel. It’s the only company using a cedar shingle panel system that has the shingles connected to each other instead of a backer board. This makes installation faster and easier. The secured interlocking system of full-sized western red cedar shingles creates a weatherproof protective layer for your home. Thanks to the built-in technology, you can have a traditional look with state-of-the-art technology. Built into Ecoshel’s shingle siding system are ventilation and a rain screen. Your traditional shingle siding will last longer, be more durable, and cost less than traditional cedar shingle installation.
Check the Roof
Inspect the gutters, shingles, and internal support beams of your roof. Look for any damage or signs of aging. You’ll also want to check for roof straps. Builders in Florida are required to add roof straps when building a home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your roof has them. Roof straps are metal pieces that attach your roof to the walls. This makes your home more durable to high winds. You need to have access to your attic to be able to add them.
Trim the Trees
Walk around your property and look at your landscaping. Cut back all of the branches that hang over or touch your house. Cut back any dying branches that are weakened. Cleaning up your yard prevents plant debris from breaking loose and colliding with your home, causing damage.
Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance
The worst time to find out that your homeowners’ insurance isn’t up to snuff is after a hurricane when your home has suffered damage. Before hurricane season, review your insurance policy and find out what exactly your policy covers. A common issue in Florida is that wind or rain damage is covered, but flooding isn’t. This can get technical and difficult to decipher. It can be smart to purchase an additional flooding rider to completely protect your home.
Make Sure Your Home Is Ready for Hurricane Season
Your home is your biggest investment, so protect it against one of its biggest threats. Don’t let hurricane season catch you unprepared. By following this guide, you can make sure that your home is strong, protected, and secured. Then you can feel confident about your home and focus on your family’s safety. We want to hear from you! So make an appointment and let our skilled team help you get your home hurricane season ready.