10/07/2026
Hurricane season has officially been bestowed upon us. High winds, sideways rain, and flying debris will find any gap, crack, or loose fastener on your home's exterior, and small problems can turn into expensive repairs in a matter of hours. The good news is most exterior damage starts at a weak point that can be found and fixed ahead of time. Here's our complete walk-around checklist, including plenty of things most people never think to check.
Roof
Shingles: Look for loose, curling, cracked, or missing shingles. Wind gets under one lifted tab and peels back the rows around it.
Flashing: Check the metal flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and walls for gaps, rust, or lifted edges.
Roof vents and turbines: Make sure ridge vents, turbine vents, and exhaust caps are secured. Turbines are a common leak point once they blow off.
Soffits and fascia: Push gently on soffit panels. If they're loose, wind-driven rain can blow into the attic.
Satellite dishes and solar panels: Confirm mounts are tight and sealed where they pe*****te the roof.
Overhanging branches: Trim limbs within 10 feet of the roof line.
Gutters & Drainage
Clean gutters and downspouts: Clogged gutters overflow and send water down your walls, into the foundation, and behind siding.
Gutter hangers and fasteners: Tighten or replace loose brackets. A gutter full of water and debris is heavy, and wind can rip it off and turn it into a projectile.
Downspout extensions: Make sure water is directed at least 4–6 feet away from the foundation.
Storm drains and yard drains: Clear leaves and debris from drains near your driveway and street, plus French drains and catch basins.
Sump pump: Test it by pouring water into the pit, and consider a battery backup in case of a power outage.
FYI: Grinder pumps stop working if the power goes out!
Windows & Doors
Caulking and seals: Inspect caulk around every window and door frame. Cracked or shrinking caulk lets wind-driven rain in sideways.
Weatherstripping: Replace worn or flattened weatherstripping on doors and operable windows.
Window locks and latches: Make sure every window locks fully. A locked window seals tighter and holds up better under pressure.
Shutters and panels: Test-fit storm panels or plywood now, label which goes where, and make sure you have all the hardware, anchors, and wingnuts.
Sliding glass doors: Clean the tracks, check that the lock engages, and consider a security bar. Sliders are one of the most vulnerable openings in a home.
Entry doors: Double doors should have bolts at the top and bottom of the inactive door. Check that hinges are secured with long screws into the framing.
Window sill weep holes: Clear the small drainage holes at the bottom of window frames so water can escape.
Garage Door
Wind rating: Know whether your door is wind-rated. The garage door is the largest opening in most homes, and if it fails, pressure can build inside and help lift the roof.
Bracing: Consider a garage door brace kit if your door isn't reinforced.
Hardware: Check tracks, rollers, hinges, and springs for rust or wear, and tighten any loose bolts.
Bottom seal: Replace a cracked or missing bottom seal to keep out water and debris.
Manual release: Know how to open the door manually in case of a power outage.
Siding, Walls & Foundation
Siding: Look for loose, cracked, or warped panels and re-secure them before wind finds them.
Wall penetrations: Seal gaps around dryer vents, hose bibs, cable and electrical lines, and A/C lines where they enter the house.
Dryer and exhaust vent flaps: Make sure flaps close properly so rain and pests don't get in.
Foundation cracks: Seal small cracks to limit water intrusion.
Crawl space vents: Know where they are and whether your home needs them open or closed during flooding.
Yard & Outdoor Items
Patio furniture, grills, and planters: Make a plan for where everything will go. Anything left outside can become a projectile.
Trampolines, playsets, and basketball hoops: Anchor them down or disassemble them. These are some of the most commonly forgotten items.
Decorations and yard art: Bring in flags, wind chimes, hanging plants, string lights, and lawn ornaments.
Trees and shrubs: Remove dead or weak trees and branches, and thin dense canopies so wind can pass through.
Mulch and gravel: Consider replacing loose rock or gravel landscaping near the house with shredded mulch, which is less dangerous in high winds.
Fences and gates: Check for rotted posts and loose boards, and latch gates securely.
Sheds and outbuildings: Make sure they're anchored and the doors are secured.
Screen Enclosures & Pool Cages
Screen panels: Look for tears, sagging screens, or spline (the rubber strip that holds the screen in the frame) that's popping loose. Damaged panels catch wind and can rip out the panels around them.
Frame and fasteners: Check the aluminum frame for corrosion, cracked welds, and missing or rusted screws, especially where beams connect and where the frame meets the house.
Anchors at the base: Make sure the anchor bolts securing the frame to the pool deck or slab are tight and not corroded.
Cables and braces: Inspect any diagonal cables and knee braces. These help the enclosure resist racking in high winds, so they should be taut and securely attached.
Connection to the house: Check where the enclosure ties into your fascia or gutter. Loose fasteners here can pull off gutters and fascia along with the enclosure.
Roof screens and gutters: Clear leaves and pine straw off the screen roof and out of the enclosure's gutter so water drains instead of pooling.
Doors: Make sure screen doors latch firmly and the closer works, and keep them shut during the storm.
Everything inside: Bring in furniture, hanging plants, and pool toys. Items inside can be thrown through the screen just as easily as items in the open yard.
Ask a pro about removing panels: Some enclosures benefit from removing select screen panels to reduce wind load before a major storm. Check with your enclosure installer before cutting or removing anything.
Photos and coverage: Photograph the enclosure from all sides, and check your insurance policy, since screen enclosures are often covered differently than the rest of the home.
Things People Don't Usually Think Of
A/C condenser: Make sure the outdoor unit is secured to its pad with hurricane straps, and turn off power to it before the storm.
Pool: Don't drain it. Instead, lower the water a foot or two, add extra chlorine, turn off the pump, and bring in loose pool equipment.
Boats, trailers, and RVs: Move them to a safe place or secure them with tie-downs, and don't park them next to the house.
Propane tanks and generators: Secure propane tanks, and never run a generator in the garage or near open windows.
Outdoor lighting and cameras: Check that fixtures and security cameras are mounted securely.
House numbers: Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street. Emergency responders and insurance adjusters will need it after the storm, when landmarks may be gone.
Pressure washing beforehand: Clean siding, windows, and screens before the storm so you have a clear baseline for spotting new damage afterward.
Mailbox: Make sure the post is solid and the box is secure.
We hope this checklist helps you feel more prepared for this upcoming storm. A little time spent walking around your home now can save you a lot of stress, and money, after a storm passes. Stay safe out there! 💙
