In Florida, hurricane season is inevitable, and while you can’t control the weather, you can control how prepared you are when storms strike. Getting ready for hurricane season early can help mitigate the risk of storm damage, protect your loved ones, and make you less dependent on overwhelmed emergency services. For over 15 years, our home restoration contractors have delivered professional wind and storm damage restoration services to homes and businesses throughout Gainesville, FL. Below, Maven Construction Group shares a few proactive steps you can take to prepare your home for Florida’s stormy season!
Has your property been damaged in a storm? Contact us today to schedule restoration services or request a quote!
What To Do Before Hurricane Season Begins
Stock Up On These Essential Supplies
Even Category One hurricanes can cause widespread power outages that last several days and disrupt access to gas, clean water, food, and other necessities. Worse yet, in the days leading up to a hurricane, grocery stores tend to run out of essentials like bottled water, canned foods, batteries, and other basic emergency supplies. Knowing this, you should try to avoid the last-minute mad dash before a hurricane hits by stocking up on emergency supplies early. Some supplies you should always stock up on before a hurricane include:
- Bottled water (minimum recommendation of at least one gallon of water per person for several days)
- Non-perishable food (at least three days’ worth for every family member)
- Manual can opener
- Prescription medications
- Flashlights and candles
- Batteries
- Portable chargers/power banks
- First-aid kit
- Hygiene products
- Pet supplies
Consider Getting Flood Insurance To Cover Water Damage
Pre-hurricane season is the perfect time to review your insurance policies and ensure you have comprehensive coverage for storm-related damage. In particular, you should make sure you have insurance coverage for flooding. As general contractors specializing in water damage restoration services, we can say from firsthand experience that damage from flooding is neither pretty nor cheap. While most homeowners’ policies cover wind-related damages, they don’t tend to cover flooding. Ensure you’re financially prepared for the worst-case scenario by investing in insurance coverage that protects against flooding.
Inspect & Fortify Your Roof
Your roof takes the brunt of the punishment from hurricane-force winds and torrential rain, so ensuring it’s in good condition before storm season is essential. We recommend checking your roof for lifted or damaged shingles, inspecting your attic for signs of moisture or light leaking in, and, if you can afford it, hiring a professional to perform a pre-storm inspection. Does your roof have damage? We offer roof damage repair services and can help restore your roof’s integrity before storm season arrives!
How To Prepare When A Hurricane Is Coming
Make A Home Inventory
One of the key differences between Maven Restoration Group and other restoration companies is our firm commitment to being our clients’ insurance claims advocates. Which is why, when a hurricane’s on the horizon, we recommend creating a home inventory to help get the full value of your insurance claims. Fortunately, making a home inventory is easy; simply take photos or videos of each room in your home. If you have receipts for valuable items, make sure to take pictures of those as well in case they’re lost.
Secure Windows & Doors
Flying debris and air pressure from high-speed winds can shatter windows or force open doors, allowing the full wrath of a storm into your home. To protect your home, you should reinforce your windows and doors. Some ways you can do this include:
- Installing storm shutters
- Boarding up windows with plywood
- Investing in a wind-resistant garage door
- Adding a brace to your garage door
- Checking and replacing weatherstripping
Trim Trees & Remove Yard Debris
Falling branches are one of the most common causes of roof damage during storm season, so before a hurricane hits, you should take some time to inspect your trees and identify any that seem like they may pose a threat to your property. If necessary, hire an arborist to remove hazardous trees and trim branches that hang over your home. Also, clear out any objects in your yard that could be picked up by high-speed winds and turned into projectiles, such as patio furniture, grills, or toys.
What To Do If Your Home Is Damaged In A Storm
The first thing you should do if a hurricane damages your home is tend to the safety of yourself and your family. Ensure that everyone is alright and try to reach a safer location if necessary. Once the storm has passed, document the damages and contact your insurance company immediately. After that, you should contact Maven Construction Group for professional storm damage restoration. No matter what it is, if something around your home needs to be done as a result of storm damage, we can help. Our Gainesville contractors offer:
- Property damage inspections
- Emergency water removal
- Roof repairs
- Mold remediation
- Help with insurance claims
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Trusted, Experienced Professionals
Locally owned and operated in Gainesville, FL, Maven Construction Group is a licensed general contractor, Angie’s List Certified Contractor, and is accredited and A-rated by the Better Business Bureau. Maven has delivered the best damage restoration and reconstruction services in North Central Florida for more than 15 years.
Certified General Contractor Lic # CGC1519003 Certified Mold Remediation Lic # MRSR2344
