If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, it’s essential to prepare your home for strong winds and bad weather. Storms cause costly damage, so taking the necessary precautions to protect your property is crucial. Let’s look at eight ways to prepare your home for hurricane season.
Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season by Purchasing Insurance
Before anything else, make sure your home is covered in the event of a hurricane. If you don’t have flood insurance, now is the time to get it. Review your policy to learn what kind of coverage you have. You may realize it needs to be updated. Many policies limit the amount they pay out, so it’s important to know what your coverage includes.
Stock Up on Supplies
Another way to prepare for hurricane season is to stock up on supplies, including non-perishable food, water, batteries, flashlights, and a first aid kit. Have a plan in place if you lose power or need to evacuate. It’s wise to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Secure Your Home to Prepare for Hurricane Season
After purchasing supplies, it’s time to secure your home. If a storm is in the forecast, bring in outdoor furniture and lawn decorations that the wind could blow away. Trim trees and shrubs that might fall and damage your property. If you have time, reinforce the doors and windows with storm shutters.
Create an Emergency Plan
If a hurricane strikes, it’s helpful to have a plan in place. The plan should include evacuation routes, where you will go if you need to evacuate, and who to contact in an emergency. Discuss this plan with your family so everyone knows what to do in the event of bad weather.
Clear Debris Around the Property
Another way to prepare for hurricane season is to clear debris around your property, including branches and dead or diseased trees. If there’s a lot of debris, it can be caught in the wind and cause damage to your home. Remove trash and yard debris before a storm hits.
Inspect the Foundation for Cracks
If your home has a foundation, inspect it for cracks. If damaged areas exist, repair them before a hurricane hits. Cracks, gaps, and openings put your home at risk of flooding.
Make Sure the Sump Pump is Working
If you have a sump pump, verify it is working correctly to it can remove water from your basement or crawl space. If it’s not working, flooding could lead to severe water damage.
Install Hurricane Shutters to Prepare Your Home for Bad Weather
One of the best ways to protect your home from a hurricane is to install hurricane shutters. These are made of metal or plywood and fit over windows and doors. They provide extra protection against high winds and flying debris.
These are just a few ways to prepare your home for hurricane season. By following these tips, you can reduce the damage your home sustains in the event of strong winds and rain. Don’t wait until bad weather is predicted to start preparing.
GoPro Home Inspections provides inspections in the Central Florida area. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule our services.