Hurricane season runs June through November, and the homes that come through it best are the ones that were maintained before the first named storm. Most of this list is ordinary handyman work — the point is doing it early, when contractors are available and materials are on the shelf.
1. Clean the gutters and check the downspouts. A summer of pollen, leaves and roof grit clogs gutters, and a clogged gutter in a tropical downpour sends water straight down the wall and into the soffit. We clear them, flush the downspouts and re-secure any sagging sections.
2. Repair lanai and window screens. Torn screens tear further in high wind and can take the frame with them. Small repairs now are far cheaper than rescreening a cage later.
3. Tune up the garage door. The garage door is the largest opening in the house and the most common point of failure in a storm. We check the tracks, rollers, springs and the opener, tighten hardware and make sure the door seals at the floor.
5. Pressure wash walkways and the pool deck. Algae on wet pavers is a slip hazard when you are moving furniture and supplies. It also makes storm damage assessment easier when surfaces are clean.
7. Make sure your cameras and video doorbell are working. If you evacuate, a working camera system lets you see your home from anywhere. We install and pair cameras and doorbells, and can check an existing system's mounts and connections.
8. Walk the house with a caulk gun. Windows, doors, hose bibs and where cables enter the house — anywhere water can be driven in. Fresh caulk is a cheap, high-value hour of work.
After the storm: we help with the recovery side too — drywall repair and painting for water damage, re-hanging what came down, and screen and gutter repair.
Total Handyman Services of SWFL LLC serves North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Punta Gorda, Matlacha and Port Charlotte. Call or text (561) 714-0541 for a free estimate, and mention this checklist to book several items in one visit.