Tips on Preparing a Home for a Hurricane

Preparing your home is key to riding out a hurricane safely, but even the best preparations may fail. Steve Lefebvre, owner of Handyman Connection of Charleston, offers the following tips to follow before and after a storm.

Before the Storm

• Be ready to put up your hurricane shutters or shields, and start storm preparations early. If you need assistance, call Handyman Connection at 800-88-HANDY well in advance to reserve a slot. Contractors will quickly become booked up before a storm.
• If you don’t have shutters, head to the home improvement store quickly before plywood, screws and other materials to cover windows sell out.
• Know the history of flooding in the area of your home. If sandbags have proven effective against storm surge in the past, add them, but don’t delay an evacuation to sandbag.

After the Storm

• If your home has been flooded, expect to remove the lower four feet of sheetrock and insulation from walls. This should be done as soon as possible to guard against widespread mold damage.
• During the renovation stage, hire a qualified company to monitor air quality and ensure walls are completely dried out.
• Before hiring any contractor to work on your home, ask for proof of licensing, bonding and insurance. Verify licensing and insurance by calling your state, local municipality and/or the insurance company.
• Be sure you’re hiring a contractor that is licensed to perform the work you need done – i.e. don’t hire a tile expert to rebuild framing and insulation or check for mold.

Get Professional Assistance From a Handyman

From installing shutters to restoring damaged areas, the experts at Handyman Connection can help you prepare for and recover from a storm. We offer more than 20 years of experienced craftsmanship and a satisfaction guarantee that will give you peace of mind in trying times. Call (800) 88-HANDY to be connected with your local Handyman Connection location.