As a Floridian, you know that hurricane season is no joke, especially if you live on the water. June 1st starts the hurricane season, which lasts until the end of November. While there is nothing you can do to prevent a hurricane from occurring, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to prepare your home for the conditions it may be exposed to during a tropical storm or hurricane.
Related Blog: Hurricane Preparedness for Your Waterfront Property
There are many obvious precautions to take when it comes to things outside your home. For instance, you’ll want to bring in outdoor furniture, potted plants, and anything else that may blow away in the wind or potentially harm your home or neighbors’ homes. However, you may not think about what you need to do to your dock and seawall before an impending storm hits.
When you live on the water, your seawall is an essential line of defense between the water and your home. It withstands some of the most brutal conditions of any marine structure built today. If your seawall is damaged in any way, it could mean very bad news for your home and property when a storm comes. Here are some things you need to do to make sure your seawall will function as it is intended:
If you notice any cracking, shifting, or leaning of the seawall, bowing, or erosion of the ground around the seawall, it is best to get it inspected by a professional. There are certain types of cracks that are just cosmetic, however many times they are more severe and can affect the structural integrity of the wall and the seawall will require repair or complete replacement.
Shifting, leaning, and bowing are also causes for concern, as the seawall is likely damaged and not functioning properly. A professional at Duncan Seawall will be happy to come to evaluate your seawall at no cost, so don’t wait until it is too late.
Your dock is an important part of keeping your boat safe during a hurricane. If it is old or in bad condition, it may not be able to withstand the high winds and rough water it will be exposed to. It is a good idea to have your dock inspected by a professional to make sure it is in good condition and will not damage your boat, house, or surrounding structures.
To prevent or minimize damage to your boat, you must make sure it is stored properly. Taking it to storage, if you have that option available, will be the safest option as it will be protected from rough water and storm surge.
If storing your boat somewhere is not an option, make sure that your boat is stored at the proper height on your lift ( be sure to check with your insurance company to confirm that your boat will be covered if left on the lift during a hurricane). Raise the boat as high as your lift allows and tie it as tightly as you can to the lift. Remove the boat plugs so the water can drain from it in heavy rains.
If the boat lift does not go high enough to be above storm surge levels, secure long ropes to anchor points in case the surge lifts the boat higher than the lift.
If you follow these tips, you will be well prepared for hurricane season and can rest easier knowing your home and boat are as safe as possible. If you have any questions or if you’d like one of our contractors to come inspect your seawall or dock, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help.