Hurricane season is not something to take lightly. The effects of a hurricane are devastating for so many reasons.One of those reasons is the water damage to your home and personal property. Fortunately, there are ways that you can prevent water damage. With these steps, you can limit the water damage you experience when natural disaster strikes.

1. Create a list

Before you start preparing for a major storm, you need to consider everything that you need to do. But that can be overwhelming. Simplify things by making a list for yourself. Of course, your safety should be at the top of the list. Include any supplies that you need to buy for food and safety. But also include details that can assure the safety of your home.

On your list, you should include everything that you need to do to prevent water damage. For example, you should remove any large items that you have outside. If you have a patio set, make sure that you bring it indoors. Even smaller objects like statues and potted plants can cause damage. Include everything that you need to bring inside on your list. Bring everything inside far in advance of the storm. This includes debris, like dead tree branches. Then, be sure to check off the list carefully. By bringing everything indoors, you reduce the chance of things slamming into your home making a hole for water to enter.

You should also be sure to include any things that you may need to secure your home. If you need plywood for your windows, write it down. Don’t leave out a single detail, and you can get everything that you need to prevent water damage.

2. Trim your yard

Any debris in your backyard can be a danger to your home and can cause water damage. But it’s not enough to pick up and remove dead branches from the ground. Before a hurricane hits, you should trim your bushes and trees. Falling branches can damage your home and cause water damage. Remove any branches that could fall onto your roof or into your windows. Although you might hesitate to trim your well-maintained yard, it can prevent destruction.

3. Clean your gutters and storm drains

A clogged drain can cause flooding in a weather event as small as a rainstorm. In a hurricane, a clogged drain or gutter is a complete disaster. When you have advance notice of a big storm, it’s critical that you clean out your gutters and drains. If you fail to do so and they clog, you could have a flood in your home. The result could be water damage, which can lead to mold.

4. Get permanent hurricane shutters

The only way to protect your windows and doors is to use hurricane shutters. Although some people believe that taping windows is an effective way to protect their home, it’s not. Taping windows prevents the glass from breaking in your home. However, it still allows your windows to break. As a result, water has a direct path into your home.

If you choose to tape your windows, there’s another drawback. It takes valuable time to tape them. Instead of taping your windows, you could be buying supplies or preparing your home for the hurricane. Hurricane shutters are the best way to ensure that your home stays free of water. If you don’t have them, you can use plywood instead. Keep in mind that plywood is not as effective as the shutters and that hardware stores may run out of plywood in an emergency.

Don’t limit your protection to windows, If you have glass doors, you need to protect them as well. While many newer homes have hurricane-proof doors, newer ones don’t. If you don’t have them, you can install hurricane shutters to protect your home. Shattered glass doors can mean major water damage for your home.

5. Start early

One of the biggest mistakes to make is to wait too long to start your hurricane prep. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will run out of time. When people hear about hurricanes, they usually go into panic mode. Stores may run out of supplies that you need to secure your home. As soon as you hear about a storm, head to the stores and stock up.

You should also start early on preparing your home. Don’t wait too long to prepare your backyard or to put up your hurricane shutters. If you’ve never put up your shutters before, it can take you quite some time. Give yourself enough time to cross everything off your list. Even if the storm doesn’t hit, it gives you good practice for the next one.

Preparing for a Hurricane

There is no way to make your home hurricane-proof. However, there are ways that you can minimize damage. If you limit water damage in your home, you can save your home and the memories that you made in it.

After the hurricane, it’s important to remember that water cleanup requires professional help. Failing to get help could be as damaging as the hurricane.