A Severe Weather Checklist for Homeowners

As a resident of Florida, you’re almost certainly no stranger to severe weather. Hurricanes and heavy rainstorms are just a fact of life down here. Therefore, as a homeowner, it’s important you take the proper precautions to check your home and make sure it’s prepared for and capable of withstanding any severe weather conditions that arise.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind, from our team of gutter contractors.

Before the storm hits

There are a number of precautions you can take before a storm hits to make sure you’re protected. Here are a few examples:

• Prepare for heavy wind: Heavy wind can cause some significant damage in storms. Secure any objects outside your home that could fly away and turn into dangerous projectiles. Put away outdoor tables, chairs and gardening decorations, and remove antennas or satellite dishes if they’re unsecured. If your home has shutters, close them up to provide extra protection. Otherwise, consider covering your windows with plywood if you know that severe winds are coming through with hurricanes.
• Clean gutters: Your house gutters in Pensacola, FL should be able to easily drain away all the heavy rain that’s hitting your home, so it’s important to make sure your gutters are clear of debris.
• Trim branches: If there are any branches or trees that do not appear to be in good shape, it’s best to trim or remove them before a storm hits so the winds do not take care of it for you.

During a storm

While you’re waiting for a storm to pass, your top priority should always be the safety of yourself and your family. If you are ordered to evacuate, do so—don’t stick it out due to sheer stubbornness. If you don’t get an evacuation order, stay in your home until the severe weather has passed. Trying to go out in the weather is an unnecessary risk. Stay inside in a dry, comfortable area, away from windows.

After the storm

Once the storm has passed through, you should go around your property and check for any signs of damage. From there you can figure out the next steps, based on what’s in your homeowners insurance policy.

Inside your home, you can check for any flooding or water damage that may have occurred as a result of heavy rain. If you’ve owned your home for a while, you probably know the places that are most susceptible to this type of damage, so check them out.

Walk around the exterior of your home and check for any damage, whether to your house or to trees or landscaping on your property. Look for loose or fallen shingles, or any debris lying around your property that could indicate damage was done. Check also for any broken windows or flooding in your garage. You can then make temporary repairs to hold you over until you’re able to get a professional out to make the necessary fixes.

For more information about how you can keep yourself, your property and your house gutters in Pensacola, FL safe during a storm, contact the team at Gutter Master today.

Categorised in: House Gutters

This post was written by Writer