Preparing Your Virginia Beach Home for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season in Hampton Roads runs June 1 through November 30, with peak risk in August and September. Even a non-direct hit drops several inches of rain and 50-60 mph gusts on Virginia Beach and the surrounding region, and that is more than enough to expose every soft spot in a home's exterior.

Here is the handyman checklist we run with clients every May. None of this requires a contractor, it is all small fixes that add up to dramatically less storm damage if a real one hits.

## Outside the house

Clean gutters and downspouts. Even a partially clogged gutter overflows during a tropical downpour, and the water always finds the worst-case path, under fascia, behind siding, into crawl spaces and basements. We strongly recommend a hand-cleaning (not a leaf-blower job) before June 1. Confirm every downspout flows freely.

Secure or store loose outdoor items. Patio furniture, planters, grills, garbage bins, kids' toys, decorative landscaping rocks. Anything that can become airborne in a 60 mph gust will. Either move it inside or strap it down.

Trim trees back from the house. Limbs hanging over the roof or close to siding are the leading cause of structural damage in a storm. If branches are within 8-10 feet of the roof, a tree service should address them before June. We do not climb trees, but we can walk the property with you and flag what to address.

Reset leaning fence posts. A fence panel that is already leaning is going down in a storm, and it usually takes the next panel with it. Resetting a single post is a 30-minute job; replacing six panels after a storm is a weekend.

Check deck fasteners and railings. Loose railings fail under wind load. Tighten everything, replace any rusted or compromised fasteners, and re-set wobbly posts.

Secure shutters and storm panels. If you have hurricane shutters, test that they actually close and latch. If you have plywood pre-cut for window protection, confirm it still fits and the labeled bay numbers are still readable.

## On and around the house

Inspect roof and fascia. Look for missing or curled shingles, exposed nail heads, separated flashing, and any soft spots in fascia or soffit. Most of these are not handyman work but need to be flagged to a roofer before June.

Check weather-stripping on exterior doors. Wind-driven rain finds every gap. Replace any worn or compressed weather-stripping and door sweeps.

Caulk exterior seams and trim. Around windows, doors, and where siding meets trim. Use a high-grade exterior polyurethane or hybrid caulk rated for our climate.

Verify the sump pump works. Crawl-space and basement sumps that have not run since last hurricane season should be tested. Pour a few gallons of water in and confirm the float switch trips and the pump moves water. Replace the backup battery if it is more than three years old.

## Emergency-ready items inside

This part is not handyman work but worth flagging:

A charged phone, a battery bank, a flashlight per person, three days of water (one gallon per person per day), three days of non-perishable food, prescription medications, and important documents in a waterproof bag. If you are in a flood-prone area like Buckroe, parts of Ocean View, or Sandbridge, know your evacuation route.

## Right after a storm

Walk the perimeter. Look for shingle debris, fence damage, fallen limbs, and any visible siding damage. Document everything with photos before you start cleaning up, for insurance.

Check the attic. Water that gets in usually shows up there first. Look for damp insulation or staining on the underside of the roof deck.

Call us if anything needs fixing. Tidewater Handyman Services prioritizes post-storm calls, temporary tarp work, broken doors and windows, fence and deck damage. We are local, we live here, and we are usually back in service the day after a storm passes.