Shutters
Hurricane Shutters vs. Impact Windows in Florida
Plywood, panels, accordions, roll-downs or impact glass? A plain-talk look at cost, convenience and insurance discounts.
Florida Storm & Home Prep
Get your Florida home ready before the storm does.
Plain-talk guides on shutters, generators, yard and roof checks, insurance claims, flood coverage and what to do after a storm — written by a Florida homeowner, for Florida homeowners.
Start with the roof
Roofs take the hardest hit in a Florida storm, and low-slope roofs are the easiest to miss, because you can't see ponding water or lifted seams from the ground. Our guide on what to check on a flat or low-slope roof after a hurricane walks through the safe checks you can do yourself first. If you'd rather have a pro take a look, this Tampa roofing company handles storm inspections on flat roofs.
Latest guides
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Checklists
Pre-Storm Checklist: Yard, Gutters and Drainage
Trees, loose items, gutters, downspouts, swales and pools, split into early-season jobs and storm-week jobs.
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Generators
Picking a Home Generator for Hurricane Season
Portable, inverter or standby? How to size a generator, choose a fuel and run it safely when the power is out.
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Roofs
What to Check on a Flat or Low-Slope Roof After a Hurricane
Ponding, torn membranes, lifted seams, flashing and drains: what to look for on a flat or low-slope roof once the storm has passed.
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Insurance
How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim After a Storm
Step-by-step: photos before cleanup, Florida’s claim notice deadline, temporary fixes, the adjuster visit and what not to sign.
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Flooding
Flood vs. Wind Damage: What Your Policy Covers
Why homeowners policies treat wind and flood differently, how hurricane deductibles work and what flood insurance leaves out.
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After the Storm
The First 48 Hours After a Storm Hits Your House
Safety checks, photos before cleanup, quick fixes, food and power, and the paperwork to start in the first two days.