Seasonal
10 ways to storm-proof your coastal Pinellas home
Salt air, sun and storms wear down coastal homes every year. These 10 steps do the most good before the next hurricane.
Quick answer
Plan storm work before June, while there is time to check weak spots and book help. Review windows, doors, roof edges and water paths from safe places. Store loose outdoor items and save dated home photos online. Ask qualified pros about roof and opening upgrades. No upgrade makes a home storm-proof.
By Davis Build & Restore · Florida Certified Building Contractor CBC 1256241Last reviewed: Oct. 17, 20264 min read
Key takeaways
- Check windows, doors and roof edges from safe places.
- Keep rainwater moving away from your home.
- Save home photos online before storm season.
- Use qualified pros for roof work and opening upgrades.
1. Upgrade to impact-rated windows and doors
Wind and water get in through windows and doors first. Impact-rated ones stay shut when debris hits. That keeps wind from building up inside the house.
For a related check, read our guide to roof age and insurance.
What to do: Walk around your home. List any window or door that is not impact-rated. Ask about upgrades before June.
2. Protect your garage door
A wide garage door is often the weakest spot on a home. A wind-rated door or a brace kit keeps it from caving in. That stops wind from pushing up on the roof.
What to do: Look for a wind rating label on your garage door. If there is none, ask about a brace kit.
3. Strengthen roof-to-wall connections
Metal straps and clips tie your roof to your walls. The best time to check or add them is when you replace the roof.
What to do: Ask your roofer about straps before your next roof job.
4. Seal the roof deck
The roof deck is the wood layer under your shingles or tiles. Sealing it keeps water out, even if shingles blow off.
What to do: Ask about a sealed roof deck any time you replace your roof.
5. Check flashing, soffits and fascia
Soffits are the panels under your roof edge. Flashing is the metal that seals roof joints. When either fails, rain can blow into your attic.
What to do: Stand back and look at your roof edge. Note any loose, bent or missing panels.
6. Re-caulk and seal the outside of the house
Salt air and sun break down caulk around windows, doors and pipes. Fresh caulk keeps rain from getting behind your walls.
What to do: Press on the caulk around windows and doors. Replace any that is cracked, hard or pulling away.
7. Secure lanais, screen rooms and outdoor items
Screen rooms need to be anchored well. Loose furniture, grills and planters can fly in high wind.
What to do: Pick a spot in your garage for outdoor items. Check that screen room anchors are tight.
8. Look at drainage and grading
Water should flow away from your house. Grading means the slope of the ground around it.
What to do: Clean your gutters. Make sure downspouts point away from the house. Fill low spots where water pools.
9. Take photos of your home before storm season
Dated photos and video help you file an insurance claim faster after a storm.
What to do: Film every room, the roof and the outside. Save a copy online, not just on your phone.
10. Schedule a walk-through before June
A visit before storm season finds worn parts while there is still time to fix them. Contractors get busy fast after a storm.
What to do: Pick a date in April or May for a walk-through.
When you don't need a contractor
You can save home photos, plan storage and clear loose yard items yourself. Check seals and water paths from the ground. No upgrade makes a home storm-proof.
When to call a pro
Call a qualified contractor for roof work, door upgrades or loose screen room anchors. Ask which permits apply before work starts. Keep the written work plan and product records.
What we check on a walkthrough
- Visible window and door labels and gaps in protection.
- Roof edges and outside seals seen from the ground.
- Loose screen room anchors and places for outdoor storage.
- Gutter outlets, soil height and water paths near walls.
Common questions
Sources
Related answers
7 low-cost drainage fixes that protect your home
Check simple water paths before planning larger drainage work.
6 min readInsurance & RoofsWhy your insurer cares about roof age (and what a 4-point inspection looks at)
What a 4-point inspection and a wind mitigation inspection look at, in plain words.
7 min readMaintenanceThe Pinellas homeowner's month-by-month maintenance calendar
A simple schedule for home checks during Pinellas heat, rain and salty air.
10 min readWant a second set of eyes?
We'll walk your house with you. We'll tell you what we see, even when you don't need us.