Now is the time for you to get your house hurricane ready! Instead of waiting for another short notice warning (or even a hesitant warning), make the decision to get your home hurricane ready now, before a hurricane becomes an issue. Although not too many hurricanes have actually landed on Florida’s coast, it can happen at anytime. Below are some key actions you can take right now to prepare for any weather this hurricane season might bring.

Talk to your Insurance Provider

Believe it or not, you can actually jeopardize your insurance claim if you don’t properly prepare for a hurricane.

Check the hurricane shutters

If you live in Florida then chances are high your house has hurricane shutters. You will need to check that your hurricane shutters are in proper working order. If you do not have hurricane shutters, you may want to consider installing them.

How To Get Your Home Hurricane Ready

Ready or not, hurricane season comes every year. And every August, we dread what may happen. After Cedar Key’s unfortunate run-in with Hurricane Colin and Hurricane Idaliah’s fierce 125 mph winds hit Florida’s coast in 2023, you may want to ensure your home is hurricane-ready. 

Instead of waiting for a short notice warning, prepare for the hurricane now so your home doesn’t suffer the consequences. Since 2017, there have been 5 major hurricanes, so it’s safe to say it can happen anytime. 

At Divinity Inspection Service in Tampa Bay, Florida, we are dedicated to informing Tampa Bay residents about how to keep their homes safe. Below are some steps to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

How Can You Prepare Your Home For A Hurricane?

Before the next hurricane warning is announced, you have the opportunity to ensure your home is safe. 

The following are Divinity’s top tips for making your home hurricane-ready: 

Make A List

That daunting list of all the things you own in your home. Nothing about this task sounds fun, unless you love making long lists of many things. Unfortunately, if something does happen to your home and you need to make an insurance claim, you will need this list.

Having a list of all of your belongings, both inside and outside your home, can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. If you’re worried about losing these items, your insurance company may help cover the cost of replacing your valuables.

Talk To Your Insurance Provider

Believe it or not, you can jeopardize your insurance claim if you don’t properly prepare for a hurricane. The best action you can take is to call your insurance provider and find out from them what they require from you to properly prepare your house for a hurricane. As long as you follow their guidelines, you should have no issues making a claim should you need to.

Receiving a claim depends on demonstrating hurricane readiness.  If you are unsure what preparations your home insurance policy requires, call them now and follow their instructions.

Cut Weak Branches

Weak branches are problematic once winds reach high speeds. Limbs can fall and make contact with your home, causing significant damage. To prevent this, cut all weak or compromised branches outside your home. 

Seal Wall Openings or Open Gaps 

Any exposed gaps in your home may permit water entry during an intense storm with flooding. So, you can better reinforce your home by sealing all open gaps and wall openings such as vents, outdoor electrical outlets, garden hose bibs, and locations where cables or pipes go through the wall. Use a high-quality urethane-based caulk to prevent water penetration. This simple solution will drastically reduce flooding in your home.

Install Tempered Glass Sliding Doors

Sliding glass doors should be made of tempered glass during a storm or covered with shutters or plywood. These types of doors are less vulnerable to wind and water damage than traditional doors. 

So, upgrading them is a great way to ensure they don’t shatter upon making contact with water. Compared to regular glass doors, they are 4 times stronger, making them an ideal option for hurricane-proofing your home.

Ultimately, taking this precaution will alleviate your stress during hurricane season.

Use Sewer Backflow Valves

FEMA also suggests installing sewer backflow valves to stop water accumulation during a hurricane. The backwater valve is designed to automatically shut to prevent leakage from the plumbing fixture if sewage from an obstructed public sewer backs up the owner’s drain line. When rainfall causes a flood, this can prevent the flood from backing up from your gutters and into your home.

If you are concerned about the installation cost, you can purchase a valve for as cheap as $25 online. While more expensive alternatives exist, budget-friendly options are available to safeguard your home on a restricted income. 

Check or Install Hurricane shutters

If you live in Florida, your house will likely have storm shutters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mentions that storm shutters are a vital way to protect your home from sustaining damage. 

So, for those who already have them, check to make sure they’re in working order. If you don’t have storm shutters, consider installing them.

Hire Divinity Inspection Services for Assistance with Hurricane Preparations!

For recommendations on how to make your home hurricane-ready, hire our professionals at Divinity Inspection Service in Tampa Bay, Florida! Our professionals will inspect your home and provide our best tips for minimizing costs and optimizing your home’s safety. 

Although many believe home inspections are only for buying and selling a house, they are also used to assess storm readiness! To help you prepare for a hurricane, we perform wind mitigation inspections. 

The Divinity Inspection Service team holds multiple certifications, including a Nationally Certified Master Inspector on staff. With rigorous training and a sound protocol for all employees, all inspections and reports are of the highest level.

Feel free to contact us anytime to request an inspection.

If you want a professional to inspect your home and suggest how to prepare your house better for a hurricane, then you can hire Divinity Inspection Services to do that! Many people believe home inspections are only for buying and selling a house, but home inspections can offer great value to any homeowner!

Originally Published Sept 2017