How to prepare your Florida home for a hurricane.

As most Florida residents are aware, hurricane season peaks in the months of August and September. Many of you reading this may not be fully prepared. Is it too late to prepare for a hurricane at this point? Not at all, and we’re going to give you some tips on exactly how to prepare your property.

Recognize Flood Zones

There’s a variety of damage that can occur during a hurricane, but the most devastating is typically caused by flooding. This is why a big part of preparing for a hurricane is recognizing the flood zones. If your property is located in a flood zone, then you need to identify the level of risk that it’s been labeled as and then take appropriate precautions.

Secure Windows

Hurricanes consist of extremely powerful winds that can either break your windows through its sheer force or sometimes even launch objects through them. The best way to protect your windows is with the installation of storm shutters, which can easily be closed during a hurricane. The alternative is to place plywood over them, but that can be unsightly and ineffective.

Keep Sandbags on Hand

You should definitely have several sandbags on hand, which will keep water from seeping into your home. The goal is to create a seal at your home’s entry points, such as the doors of your house, garage door, etc. Even though you may have seen movies or TV shows where people stack them several bags high, what you want to do is lay them in a row and maybe two bags high. Before you do that, though, place a plastic sheet against the door and then set the sandbags on top. They will work together to keep water from getting inside.

Move Outdoor Furniture Inside

This probably seems like a no-brainer, right? During the preparation for a hurricane, a lot of homeowners don’t even consider the furniture that they have sitting outside. If possible, bring these items in so that they will be protected. The alternative is to make sure that the furniture is secure and won’t blow around. If pieces are left loose, they could slam into your house, vehicles, and other items, causing considerable damage.

Check Your Insurance Policy

If you live in an area that experiences hurricanes, you definitely want to prepare for a hurricane by having insurance. Keep in mind, however, that this usually doesn’t include flood insurance, nor does a standard Clearwater homeowner’s insurance policy, so you would need to purchase that separately. As for the hurricane insurance, go over your policy limits, what will be covered, the deductible, and other information with your policyholder.

Check Your Roof’s Integrity

A leaky roof can turn into a much more severe problem if a hurricane hits and causes more damage. When preparing for a hurricane, check the roof’s integrity to make sure there aren’t any issues. If you don’t trust yourself for this, hire a professional roofer or similar expert who can inspect the roof and repair any damage, if necessary.

Remove Debris from the Gutters

No one likes to clean out the gutters, but it’s a chore that must be done on a regular basis. Since there can be a deluge of water going into these gutters during a hurricane, you want to make sure that there’s no debris. If there is, the water could pool together and cause severe damage to even a well-maintained, sturdy roof.

Coleman Insurance Company Will Help You Prepare for a Hurricane

If you’re looking for a trustworthy homeowner’s insuranceagency, look no further than Coleman Insurance Agency. Our team can help you prepare for a hurricane and other such issues by ensuring that you have the right type and amount of insurance in Clearwater, FL. Give us a call at (727) 441-9911 today to schedule a no-cost consultation.