The Checklist

Tampa Bay Hurricane Prep — Exterior

Print this. Walk your property. Check each item. Anything you miss costs 10x more after a storm.

Inspect for algae streaks or moss. Algae weakens shingles. A pre-storm soft wash extends roof life — call us 30+ days before storms hit. More on roof cleaning →
Photograph each roof side. Take dated drone photos or ground-level shots. Insurance needs "before" evidence to file post-storm claims.
Check for missing shingles or cracked tiles. Storm winds rip already-loose roofing. Fix before, not after.
Inspect flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights. Most leaks start at flashing.
Have your roof age on file. 20-year-old shingles in Tampa Bay are at end-of-life. Consider replacement before next hurricane season.

Remove all debris. Clogged gutters overflow during 4-inch hour rain events. Water damages siding + foundation.
Flush downspouts. Blocked downspouts back up into the gutter and overflow at the seams.
Confirm downspouts extend away from foundation. Splash blocks or extensions should direct water 3+ feet from the house.
Check gutter pitch. Sagging gutters overflow in heavy rain. Re-pitch or replace.
Schedule mid-season cleaning. Tree debris accumulates between June and October — book Sandbar for a mid-season flush. Gutter cleaning →

Test screen tension. Loose screens become projectiles in 60+ MPH winds. Re-tension or replace before season.
Check aluminum frame for loose screws or corrosion. Coastal salt air accelerates corrosion. Tighten and re-coat where needed.
Remove or anchor outdoor furniture. Furniture inside the cage becomes a battering ram.
Soft wash before season. Salt deposits + lovebug residue weaken screens. Pool cage cleaning →

Trim branches hanging over the roof. Falling branches are the #1 cause of post-storm roof damage in Tampa Bay.
Identify diseased or dead trees. Mark for removal before season. Don't wait for them to fall.
Secure or store loose yard items. Trash cans, planters, decorative lawn items all become missiles in high winds.
Stockpile sandbags if you're in a flood zone. Pinellas + coastal Pasco residents — check FEMA flood maps.

Walk-around video. 5-minute phone video showing every side of your house. Date it. Save to cloud.
Photograph valuable items. Patio furniture, outdoor kitchen, pool equipment, A/C units.
Save service records. Roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, screen replacement dates — proves you maintained the property.
Check insurance policy. Confirm hurricane deductible (Florida is usually 2-5% of dwelling value), wind/hurricane coverage, flood coverage (separate policy in most cases).
Save your insurance + mortgage company numbers in your phone. Post-storm phone lines jam. Have the numbers ready.

Stock basic recovery supplies. Tarps, plywood, screws, tape, flashlights, batteries.
Have a generator if you don't. Tampa Bay power outages average 3-7 days post-storm. Even a small one matters.
Know your evacuation zone. Pinellas: A-E, Pasco: A-E. Sign up for emergency alerts.
Save Sandbar's number for post-storm exterior cleaning. Salt spray + tree debris + storm water = priority cleanings post-season. We pre-book maintenance customers ahead of new requests.

Hurricane Prep Exterior Checklist