Living in Florida means that you have access to miles and miles of beaches, warm weather (most of the time), and even proximity to some of the world’s greatest theme parks. However, it also means that you must endure what the Atlantic coast calls “Hurricane season.” From around June to November of every year, Florida residents brace themselves for news of a developing tropical storm or hurricane, bound to leave a path of destruction in its wake. While there’s no sure way to prevent any damage or flooding from occurring, there are certain things that you can do to help prepare you house to withstand the heavy rains and strong winds. At All Dry Services, our Jupiter water damage and storm restoration experts have compiled tips and tricks so you can protect your property from experiencing severe damage.
HOW TO PREPARE IN ADVANCE
Living in a coastal area, such as Jupiter, means that dealing with hurricanes and tropical storm warnings becomes second nature after a while. Although it’s impossible for meteorologist predictions to be 100% correct, they give good foresight into the statistical probability of when the storm is bound to reach land, giving you time to prepare in advance and help save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs and restoration.
VERIFY WHAT YOUR INSURANCE POLICY COVERS
Believe it or not, many homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover wind and water damage, leaving many residents hung out to dry (quite literally!) after a hurricane or tropical storm hits. Be sure to know exactly what you’re covered for and, if necessary, purchase additional coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. At All Dry Services, our technicians have experience working with a number of insurance companies and we are happy to help you figure out your coverage. However, it’s important to do this prior to the event of any flooding or storm damage.
MAKE SURE YOUR WINDOWS, GARAGE DOOR & ROOF ARE SECURE
We recommend that you get window shutters professionally installed or that you install professional grade hurricane glass windows. If you already have either, it’s important to ensure they are not broken or damaged ahead of time. If these options are too expensive, you can always resort to boarding up your windows with marine ply.
We also recommend investing in roof clips and garage door braces that you can install to prevent strong winds from tearing off your roof or garage door from your home.
PREVENT AS MUCH ROOF DAMAGE & FLOODING AS POSSIBLE
While there’s no sure way to prevent all flooding or damage in the midst of a hurricane or tropical storm, there are measures you can take to limit it. The first of which is to make sure your clean your gutters. If they are filled with debris, water will pool instead of flow freely, which could create roof leaks. Additionally, it’s important that you check your windows, doors, walls, and any areas that house cables or pipes for openings that could allow water to get in.
ANTICIPATE FOR HEAVY RAINS
Whether it’s a hurricane or a tropical storm, chances are there’s going to be rain…and lots of it.
To help protect your valuables and electronics, we recommend:
- Moving them to a higher floor, if possible
- Ensure your sump pump and drains are still functional
- Unplug all electrical equipment that could be in the reach of any pooling water
- Purchase sandbags to place outside your home to prevent floodwater from entering your property
At All Dry Services, our technicians are available 24/7 to assist you with all of your flood and storm damage restoration needs in Jupiter. Just call (561) 662-4525.
