Prepare for Hurricane Season in Melbourne, Florida

Protecting your Melbourne home shouldn’t wait until the hurricane warnings sound. At that point, you should have your home ready to stand firm in the storm and a game plan for possible evacuation. It’s easy to assume that the worst of the storms won’t hit your home, but you never know what hurricane season is going to bring. We want to help keep your property and family safe, and we have some tips to help you do that.

Fix Known Structural Problems

Have you been putting off some much-needed property repairs? Whether you know that your roof is due for replacement, or your windows are old and drafty, the calm before the storm is the perfect time to fix those problems. Think of each structural issue as a weakness that could leave your property vulnerable to more substantial damage that will cost you a lot of money to fix if a hurricane does cross your neighborhood.

It's a good idea to walk through your home before hurricane season hits to check for new damage. A lot can happen in a home over the course of a year, and you don’t want a massive storm to reveal weak points that you didn’t realize existed.

Upgrade to Storm-Ready Windows

The Florida coastline forces you to think beyond appearances when selecting your windows. Your home is less likely to sustain structural and interior damage if every window is ready to stand firm in even the strongest winds and downpours.

We recommend installing impact windows, especially if you live within 20 miles of the coast. Impact windows are designed to resist breaking when hit by heavy debris. We’ve all seen the videos and pictures of large items like cars and patio furniture flying through the air during a hurricane. Perhaps you’ve seen it in real life. The best way to protect your windows from shattering is to upgrade to impact windows.

Window technology has come a long way, so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to get the storm-ready performance your home needs. Your impact windows can look just as great as standard windows when chosen for your property and installed professionally.

Improve the Strength of Your Doors

Doors aren’t as vulnerable to breaking as windows, but they can still become a weak point when your home is under assault from an intense hurricane. The best solution is to install impact doors designed to withstand the pressure. There are a wide variety of colors and styles available, so you can upgrade the appearance of your home while improving the value and protecting your property.

Reinforce the Roof and Garage Door

How strong is your garage door? Do you think your roof is ready for the next big hurricane? You can use tie-downs to secure your roof to your home. Also, consider reinforcing the roof by nailing any loose shingles down securely and then applying cement to hold shingles in place. You can also reinforce your flashing to prepare it for the oncoming storms.

If you aren’t sure how to reinforce your garage door or roof, consider hiring a professional to do it for you. These are property investments that could save you from significant damage during the upcoming hurricane season.

Secure Your Landscaping and Yard Furniture

You may spend a lot of money and time planting bushes, flowerbeds, and trees to beautify your property. Perhaps you even have a vegetable garden or grow your own fruit trees. These elements of your yard can get ripped from the ground and tossed into your home, and they’re more vulnerable if they’re overgrown or in poor health.

Start by having all of your landscaping features trimmed. Make sure they’re well-maintained and in good health. You may want an arborist to look at your trees to check for signs of disease or weakness.

If you have patio furniture, hammocks, swing sets, or other large, heavy items that stay outdoors, make sure they’re properly secured to the ground. If you can take them inside an outdoor building or garage before a hurricane arrives, you may save your property from significant damage.

Finally, think about any decorative rocks, pebbles, or gravel used in flowerbeds and other lawn features. Even small ponds and larger rocks are potential threats to your home. Try to secure them or cover them if you’re concerned that they may get thrown at your home.

Prepare for the Worst

You may have a couple of days to prepare once an incoming hurricane is announced, but you don’t want to fight the panicked crowds for essential supplies needed for survival. Start by stocking up on non-perishable foods and water. Make sure you have enough to feed your household for at least a few days. Make sure to buy items with expiration dates as far in the future as possible so that they last through the season.

Next, stock up on sanitary and personal care items that you may need. Imagine you can’t go to the store or have anything delivered for a week. What items are you most likely to need or wish you purchased? Those are the things you want to stock up on now.

You also want to make sure that your vehicles are in good working order and always have adequate oil and tire pressure during hurricane season. If it comes to an evacuation, you want to feel prepared to go safely.

Consider Investing in a Generator

If you make it through a hurricane, you may go without electricity for days or possibly longer. A generator can help power your home so that your food doesn’t perish, and you have some level of comfort. The larger the generator, the more power it can supply. Small generators are good for keeping the refrigerator or other appliances going, but larger ones may power your entire home as if the lights never went out.

The first thing you should do to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season here in Melbourne, FL, is to upgrade your windows and possibly your doors. Impact windows and doors can save you a lot of time and money over boarding everything up just before the storm hits. They’re also great investments that can improve the value of your home.

Contact Wallaby Windows to discuss the best hurricane preparations for your Melbourne, Florida home.