How to Prepare Your Tampa Bay Home for Hurricane Season

Why Tampa Bay Homes Need Special Hurricane Prep

Living in the Tampa Bay area means accepting hurricane season as a yearly reality. From June through November, every homeowner should have a plan — not just for evacuation, but for protecting their property. The good news: most storm damage is preventable with basic preparation.

We have worked on hundreds of homes across Brandon, Riverview, Tampa, and surrounding areas. The homes that fare best in storms are the ones where owners stayed ahead of maintenance.

Your Pre-Hurricane Checklist

Exterior Inspection

• Gutters & downspouts: Clean out debris and check for secure attachment. Loose gutters become projectiles. Our outdoor service team handles gutter cleaning and repair.
• Fence & gate check: Tighten loose posts, replace rotting boards, secure gate latches.
• Tree trimming: Cut back branches within 10 feet of your roof or power lines.
• Roof inspection: Look for missing or lifted shingles, cracked flashing, and soft spots.
• Pressure wash: Clean exterior surfaces so you can spot damage more easily. We offer pressure washing across the Tampa Bay area.

Windows & Doors

• Check all window and door seals for gaps or deterioration
• Test locks on every window — our handyman team can replace faulty locks quickly
• Install or check hurricane shutters
• Inspect sliding glass door tracks and rollers

AC & Electrical

• Schedule an AC tune-up before summer heat and storms arrive
• Change air filters — a clean system handles power fluctuations better
• Test GFCI outlets near water sources
• Check that your thermostat is functioning properly

Interior Prep

• Identify and fix any existing humidity damage to walls — storm moisture will make it worse
• Move valuables away from windows and exterior walls
• Check for drywall problems that could worsen with water intrusion
• Test smoke detectors and CO monitors

When to Call a Professional

If you spot any of these during your inspection, it is time to call in help:

• Soft spots on your roof or around windows
• Fence posts that wobble or lean
• Gutters pulling away from the fascia
• Doors that do not close or lock properly
• Cracks in exterior walls or foundation

Best Bay Services can handle most of these repairs in a single visit. We serve 27 cities across Hillsborough County with same-week scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions