What Maintenance or Prep Should I Do as a Homeowner Before Storms?

Before hurricane season begins, Florida homeowners should trim trees, clear gutters, secure outdoor items, and inspect window protections, because last-minute scrambling won’t keep your home safe.

Storm prep isn’t just about stocking water and batteries the night before landfall. It starts with yard work, home maintenance, and early safety checks that reduce the risk of damage when winds pick up and rain starts pouring. If you’ve recently moved to Florida, it’s easy to feel uncertain about what really matters and what can wait.

This guide gives you a clear checklist of smart, preventive steps that can make a real difference. From keeping your pool from becoming a hazard to knowing when to board up your windows, we’ll help you prepare calmly, confidently, and on time.

Why Does Hurricane Prep Matter Weeks Before a Storm Hits?

Because once a storm is on the radar, it’s often too late to get supplies, book help, or safely do outdoor work – smart hurricane prep needs to start long before watches or warnings are issued.

In Florida, hurricane season officially begins June 1, but major storms can form as early as May or as late as November. The biggest problem? Once a storm is heading your way, everyone else is rushing to prepare at the same time and critical items like plywood, fuel, and generator repairs can be hard to find.

More importantly, many of the tasks that protect your home, like trimming trees, checking storm shutters, or clearing roof debris, are dangerous to do when winds are already picking up.

Starting early preparation means:

• More time to safely inspect and fix vulnerabilities (like a loose shutter bracket or clogged roof drain)
• Better access to contractors, supplies, and repairs
• Less stress and decision fatigue when a real threat appears on the forecast
• Peace of mind knowing your home is as ready as it can be

What Should I Do in the Yard – Trees, Furniture, Gutters, and More?

To prepare your yard for a hurricane, trim trees and branches, secure or store outdoor furniture, clean gutters and drains, and remove anything that could turn into wind-driven debris.

Even a relatively weak storm can send patio chairs flying or clog your street with leaves and branches. That’s why outdoor prep is one of the most important, and most overlooked, parts of storm readiness. Here’s what to focus on:

Tree Trimming & Branch Removal

• Cut back limbs that overhang your roof or power lines
• Remove dead branches and weak trees entirely
• Hire a professional for large trees or anything near utility poles

Why it matters: Falling limbs and wind-thrown branches are a major source of roof and window damage, and even injury, during hurricanes.

Secure or Store Outdoor Furniture

• Move patio chairs, grills, umbrellas, and lawn décor indoors
• If you can’t bring them in, anchor heavy items securely or tie them down
• Don’t forget smaller items like toys, cushions, potted plants, or trash bins

Tip: Even a 30-mph wind can turn lightweight items into dangerous projectiles.

Clean Gutters, Downspouts & Drains

• Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris from roof gutters and downspouts
• Make sure yard drains and street-side storm drains near your home are unobstructed
• Test to see if water flows freely – poor drainage can lead to flooding fast

Remove or Secure Miscellaneous Items

• Landscape stones, solar lights, tiki torches, tools, and garden flags should all be brought inside
• If you have a shed, check that it’s anchored and locked down
• Make sure pool skimmers, hoses, and lawn equipment are stowed safely

Doing all this might take a few hours, but it can prevent thousands in damage. And once it’s done, you’re one major step closer to peace of mind when a storm is approaching.

How Do I Make Sure My Shutters, Screens, or Impact Windows Are Ready to Go?

The only way to know your hurricane protection will work is to check it before a storm is on the way, that means inspecting shutters, testing closures, and looking for signs of wear.

Florida homes often have one or more storm protection systems: Accordion Shutters, Aluminum Roll Down Shutters, Storm Catcher® Screens, or built-in impact-rated windows and doors. But when they’re left untouched for months (or years), problems can creep in unnoticed, until it’s too late.

Here’s how to get ahead of it:

Test for Functionality (While It’s Safe Outside)

• Accordion shutters: Make sure the tracks are free of debris, each side glides smoothly, and you have the key to lock them in place
• Storm Catcher® Screens: Check the fasteners, buckles, and tension; roll or fold them down and back up
• Aluminum Roll Down Shutters: Ensure the tracks are free of debris, check that they roll down smoothly, and if you have a lock, have the key nearby.
• Impact windows and doors: Check that all locks engage and the glass has no cracks or seal failures

If something sticks, rusts, or doesn’t close tightly, fix it now, don’t wait for a storm watch.

Clean and Lubricate Tracks, Screws, and Hinges

• Remove debris, sand, and buildup from tracks or rollers
• Use silicone spray (not WD-40) to lubricate moving parts
• Tighten loose bolts or replace missing fasteners

Inventory Spare Parts and Tools

• Do you have all the wingnuts, anchors, or brackets you’ll need?
• Is your ladder stable and tall enough?
• Is your cordless drill charged and ready (or do you even have one)?

Know Your Installation Plan

• If you plan to put up shutters, practice once before hurricane season starts
• Make sure everyone in the household knows where the hardware is and how the system works
• If you’re unable to do it yourself, line up help before a storm appears in the forecast

Many homeowners discover their system has missing parts, seized rollers, or unclear instructions, usually the night before landfall. A single hour of prep now can save your windows later.

What About Pools, Grills, RVs, and Other Big Items – How Should I Prepare Them?

Large outdoor features like pools, grills, RVs, and boats need specific prep before a storm, not just to protect them, but to keep them from becoming hazards to your home or neighbors.

These aren’t items you can drag inside, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Let’s walk through how to handle the big stuff safely:

Pools and Hot Tubs

• Don’t drain your pool. A full pool is heavier and less likely to lift from hydrostatic pressure – draining it can cause serious damage.
• Balance the water chemistry. Shock it before the storm to prevent algae and bacteria from building up during power outages.
• Turn off power to pumps and heaters at the breaker box and cover or secure equipment with waterproof materials.
• Remove and store poolside furniture, skimmers, toys, and umbrellas.

Tip: Do not cover the pool with a tarp, it can become airborne or tear in high winds.

Grills and Outdoor Kitchens

• Move smaller grills into a garage or shed if possible.
• For built-in units, disconnect propane lines or turn off gas valves at the source.
• Cover with a storm-rated cover and secure it with heavy straps or rope.

RVs and Campers

• Park on high ground, away from trees and power lines.
• Lower and secure awnings and pop-outs.
• If the RV is not in use, disconnect it from power sources and anchor it if tie-down points are available.
• Consider filling water tanks to make it heavier and less likely to shift in strong winds.

Boats and Trailers

• If possible, move boats inland or to a marina with hurricane-rated storage.
• On trailers, tie down both the trailer and boat to ground anchors or large immovable objects.
• Remove electronics, loose gear, and fuel tanks before the storm.

Other Oversized Items

• Secure pergolas, gazebos, and playsets with ground anchors or sandbags
• Disassemble trampolines if possible – or flip and weigh them down with concrete blocks
• Remove flags, poles, tiki torches, and shade sails

These big-ticket items are expensive to replace, and even more dangerous if they break loose. Taking the time to secure them properly protects your investment and your neighbors.

Is There a Checklist I Can Follow So I Don’t Forget Anything?

Yes, having a hurricane prep checklist helps you stay organized, avoid last-minute scrambling, and make sure nothing critical gets overlooked.

Especially if you’re new to Florida or managing a lot (kids, pets, aging parents, a small business), a clear list takes pressure off your memory and gives you a sense of control. Here’s a simplified version of what every Florida homeowner should check before hurricane season and again when a storm is approaching:

Yard & Exterior

• Trim trees and remove dead branches
• Clean gutters, downspouts, and street drains
• Secure or store patio furniture and yard décor
• Anchor sheds, gazebos, playsets, trampolines
• Remove or tie down grills, trash bins, planters

Shutters, Windows & Doors

• Test all shutters/screens/impact systems
• Lubricate tracks and tighten loose fasteners
• Inventory all hardware and tools
• Pre-fit a panel or test-run your setup
• Repair or replace cracked glass or broken locks

Larger Items

• Prep and chemically treat pools
• Turn off and secure outdoor kitchen appliances
• Anchor or relocate RVs, trailers, or boats
• Disconnect propane and store tanks safely

Inside the Home

• Check flashlights, radios, and batteries
• Backup important files and documents
• Refill prescriptions and medical supplies
• Know where your go bags and emergency kits are
• Charge portable power banks or solar devices

You don’t have to do everything at once, but having this list printed or saved on your phone makes it easier to chip away at the essentials, long before a storm watch is announced.

Want Help Finding Hurricane Protection That’s Ready When You Need It?

If you’re doing all this work to prepare your home, make sure your shutters, screens, or impact windows aren’t the weak link. Storm protection only works if it’s reliable, and ready to deploy when the time comes.

At Storm Smart, we design and install hurricane-tested systems that are built for Florida’s most extreme weather. Whether you’re looking for something fast and easy to deploy (like our Storm Catcher® Screens), or long-term peace of mind (like impact-rated windows and doors), we’ll help you choose the right fit for your home and budget.

Our team lives in Florida too, we know what works in real storms because we’ve seen it firsthand. If you’re not sure what you need, or if you’ve moved into a home with old or unknown storm gear, just reach out.

What’s Next?

Scroll down to find the Storm Smart showroom nearest you or give us a call to talk with a product specialist. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through your options, and help you get ready before the next storm appears on the map.

Once the winds rise and supplies vanish, it’s too late for prep. The countdown helps you stay on schedule, so your home is ready, your gear is working, and your focus stays on safety, not last-minute fixes.