Hurricane Prep for Polk County Homes: Protecting Against Water Damage

Hurricane season brings more than wind to Lakeland. Heavy rain, roof leaks and flooding cause a large share of storm damage in Central Florida homes, and most of it can be reduced with some simple preparation.

Living inland in Lakeland gives some protection from storm surge, but it does not protect you from what hurricanes and tropical storms bring to Central Florida: hours of heavy, wind-driven rain, overwhelmed drainage and power outages that shut off your air conditioning in the middle of humid weather. Together, those conditions are a recipe for leaks, flooding and mold.

The good news is that a little preparation before a storm and quick action afterward can prevent a lot of damage.

Before the storm: check your roof and gutters

Your roof is your first line of defense. Before a storm is forecast, walk around your home and look for missing, lifted or damaged shingles, cracked flashing around vents and chimneys, and gaps where the roof meets walls. Clear gutters and downspouts so rain can drain away from the house. When gutters clog, water backs up under the roof edge and into soffits and walls, or pools against the foundation.

Seal the openings where water gets in

Wind-driven rain can be pushed sideways through gaps that never leak in normal weather. Check the caulking around windows and doors, look at the weatherstripping on exterior doors and sliding glass doors, and make sure any wall penetrations such as pipes, dryer vents and cable lines are sealed.

Plan for drainage around your home

Look at where water goes during a normal heavy rain. If it pools against your foundation, flows toward your garage or collects near sliding doors, it will do the same thing in a hurricane, only worse. Extending downspouts away from the house and keeping drains clear of leaves and debris can make a real difference.

Know where your main water shutoff is

Storms can damage plumbing, and a leak is much easier to control when you can shut off the water quickly. Find your main shutoff valve before you need it, make sure it turns, and show everyone in the household where it is.

Protect your belongings

Move important documents, electronics and valuables off the floor and away from windows. Store insurance papers and a list of your belongings in a waterproof container or digitally. Take photos or video of your home before the storm so you have a clear record of its condition.

After the storm: check for water right away

Once it is safe, walk through your home and look for signs of water intrusion:

• Stains or wet spots on ceilings and walls
• Water around windows, doors and baseboards
• Damp or soft flooring and wet carpet
• Water in the attic around vents, valleys and chimneys
• Musty smells, especially in closets and rooms that were closed up

Do not assume a small stain is a small problem. Water that gets into an attic or wall cavity can spread far beyond what you see on the surface.

Why speed matters so much after a storm

After a hurricane, power may be out for hours or days. Without air conditioning, indoor humidity rises quickly, and wet materials stay wet longer. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours, so the sooner standing water is removed and drying begins, the more of your home can be saved.

If you find water inside, stop any active leak you safely can, keep away from wet electrical outlets and appliances, take photos of everything for your insurance claim, and call for professional water extraction and drying.

Document everything for insurance

Take clear photos and video of damaged areas before anything is moved or removed. Keep receipts for emergency repairs, such as tarping a roof, and note when you discovered the damage. Contact your insurer promptly, and remember that coverage for wind-driven rain, roof leaks and rising flood water can be handled very differently depending on your policy.

A storm only lasts a day or two, but water damage left untreated can cause problems for months. With some preparation and quick action afterward, Lakeland homeowners can get through storm season with far less damage and stress.