Top Tips to Prepare Your South Florida Home for a Hurricane

Hurricane season is almost here. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to make your home as hurricane-resistant as possible. If you wait until a hurricane is on the horizon, you risk not being able to book contractors or buy the supplies you need. At CitiQuiet Windows and Doors, keeping your family safe during a hurricane is our top priority. Following are our top tips for pre-season hurricane preparations for your South Florida home:

• If your windows have hurricane shutters, test them out and make sure they are functioning properly. If they are rusty, sticking, or not working properly, call CitiQuiet Windows and Doors to inspect and either repair or replace them. Also, consider replacing all or some of your traditional windows and shutters with hurricane impact windows to simplify your future hurricane preparations.

• Clean out your gutters to ensure there is no debris that could block the flow of water leaving your roof during a storm.

• Trim the trees and shrubs on your property, being especially careful to remove all dead branches. In high-speed winds, branches and shrubs can become projectiles that can damage your home. Additionally, consider replacing any decorative mulch with gravel. Mulch is much softer than gravel and is less likely to cause damage to your home if it becomes a projectile during a storm.

• Inspect your home’s foundation for any cracks, which could allow water intrusion during a hurricane.

• Have a Florida-licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof for any damaged or missing shingles. It only takes one missing screw or damaged shingle to cause thousands of dollars of water damage inside your home. It’s also important to ensure your roof is reinforced with hurricane straps to prevent it from blowing off.

• Have a plan for where you will move outdoor items (lounge chairs, bikes, toys, patio tables, etc.) to keep them from blowing around during a storm. Don’t assume you’ll figure out where to put them right before the storm – make sure you have a plan where you know the items will safely fit.

• Take photos and videos of the exterior and interior of your home. If your home is damaged or destroyed during a hurricane, this can help expedite the claims process with your insurance company.

• If your electronics are not already plugged into surge protectors in your home, purchase surge protectors for them. If you already have surge protectors, check to make sure they are still working.

Taking these hurricane preparation steps before the season starts can keep your family and property safe and sound, save you money, and minimize post-hurricane hassles. One of the best investments you can make in your home is installing hurricane impact windows and doors. Contact us today to learn how our windows and doors can simplify your hurricane preparation, while enhancing your family’s safety and comfort during a storm.

Since 2012, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has been engineering and installing high-quality impact windows, doors, and shutters for residential and commercial buildings throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. 

Based in Boca Raton, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors offers a turnkey service to clients including initial design, engineering, permitting, installation and finish work.  From elegant French doors to hurricane impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has your solution. 

At CitiQuiet Windows and Doors, we carry only the highest-quality products from the nation’s top manufacturers – and we stand behind everything we sell.  For a free estimate, contact CitiQuiet Windows and Doors at 561-241-9463, visit us atcitiquiethurricanewindows.com,  or stop by the showroom today at 6530 West Rogers Circle, Suite 29, Boca Raton, FL 33487.