It’s another hurricane season in Florida! Those of you native and semi-native Floridians probably know the drill by now, but newcomers – and even new homeowners – may need some advice on being ready for anything the Atlantic Ocean sends our way. Our blog post – “Hurricane season is here! Are you ready?” – provided basic preparation tips, but this month, we’re specifically addressing making sure the exterior of your home is in the best shape possible to withstand any storm.
Start by checking your homeowners insurance coverage
Do you know what your homeowners insurance policy really covers? Allstate recommends reading it closely to see if it covers wind damage. Although this is typically standard coverage, some policies partially or fully exclude damages caused by wind. Your policy may also have a separate hurricane deductible that is higher than your standard deductible.
Make sure you know your coverage limits, and contact your insurance agent if you have questions. If you find that your property doesn’t have the coverage you thought, talk with your agent to update your policy. Being proactive will help you file a claim sooner if your home sustains wind damage, and you’ll also have a clear idea of which repairs and replacements will be covered.
Flood insurance is not included in a homeowners policy. It can only be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. If you think you don’t need flood insurance because you don’t live in an area officially recognized as a flood zone, keep in mind that in recent years, areas that had never flooded before experienced substantial floods and washouts.
This is also a good time to remind you to be sure that you can access your documents, photos, warranty papers, and contact information of your contractors, insurance agents and other important contacts. Keep all such materials in a box or container that is in a protected location in your home, and that can be taken with you should you need to evacuate.
Caulking cracks on your home’s exterior
Once you’ve reviewed the details of your homeowners policy, it is crucial to caulk cracks if you see them on the exterior of your house. It is important to fix any wall leak before a storm hits. A wall leak, when left unrepaired, can damage your home – especially when breached by driving hurricane-force winds and rain. The most weather-resistant types of caulk are silicone, urethane and Elastomeric latex caulk. Other options include acrylic and latex caulk, with the latter being especially easy to apply.
Make sure your roof is secure
Basically, your house is only as secure as its roof during a hurricane. West Roofing Systems, Inc., Marketing Manager Aubrey Barto offers the following valuable advice on evaluating your roof, reproduced verbatim.
Schedule an Evaluation
If you are in a hurricane-prone area, yearly roof evaluations are a must. Having a knowledgeable contractor on your roof before hurricane season will ensure that there are no issues on your roof that a hurricane can make worse. Before hurricane season is the best time to have a contractor perform repairs and double check the integrity of your roof.
Your roofing contractor will look at the following areas of your roof:
- Membrane – make sure there are no rips, punctures, holes or effects of aging.
- Flashings – make sure all flashings are correctly attached and sealed.
- Mounted Equipment – make sure the penetrations are properly sealed and that the equipment is securely attached.
- Gutters/Downspouts – make sure all gutters, drains, and downspouts are properly attached and flowing to the proper location.
You can even do one better with two yearly inspections: one before and one after hurricane season. A maintenance program is a great way to be proactive with your roof system. Having a roofing contractor keep up the maintenance of your roof is one of the best ways to ensure that your roof is ready to stand up to incoming hurricanes. Regular maintenance can catch preliminary roof issues before they get worse, saving you money.
Trim the trees
Florida’s hurricane season is most active in August through October, so this is the zero hour to trim branches overhanging your roof, as well as dead/diseased branches that could break off and crash through a window. Also cut down dead/diseased trees, which can be uprooted during a hurricane and crash through the roof.
We recommend hiring a professional for this job, as most people lack the proper equipment, safety clothing and gear – not to mention the necessary physical strength and stamina (especially working in our triple-digit summer afternoon temperatures).
Clean gutters and drains
Again from Barto, “Cleaning and making sure your gutters are clear is essential because your gutter system takes water from your roof system down to the ground. If your gutters are clogged, the backed-up water will sit on your roof, and the probability of water entering your building will increase.”
Again from us at The Paint Manager, you may need to call a professional for this project. If you do decide to take the DIY approach, be sure you have the right kind of ladder and equipment. “Making do” with an undersized ladder or equipment not intended for the job is a safety hazard.
Now that we’re entering the peak of hurricane season, being prepared can help you feel more confident, knowing you’ve taken every step to make your home safe and secure. If you need help getting ready, The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional services that include roof repair, caulking, gutter cleaning and painting.
Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer.