WINDOWS
High winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes are hard on windows, and older single-pane glass can shatter and send fragments in every direction. Storm-grade windows are the durable answer, and modern units carry the added benefit of keeping conditioned air where it belongs, so the house stays comfortable in every season, storm or no storm.
STORM DOORS
Doorways deserve their own layer. A storm door takes the abuse of cold, wind, rain, hail, and snow so the main door doesn’t have to, both through ordinary seasons and when a storm rolls through. Choose the right size and swing direction for the opening. Replacing an existing storm door is straightforward; adding one to a doorway that never had one means marking and pre-drilling a few holes, with hardware usually included in the purchase. Models with a lock give you security and airflow at the same time.
Water runs downhill, so land that slopes toward the house is an invitation to trouble every time it rains. Fixes vary with the property: added pumps or drainage, regrading the lot, or introducing a water feature such as a pond to catch runoff where you want it caught. GRADING AND FLOODING
DRAINAGE
Wind gets the headlines, but standing water does much of a storm’s damage. When the sky dumps rain on your property, the home fares better if every drain is doing its job. Start at the gutters: check them and the downspouts regularly, keep them clear of leaves and debris, and pour water down the downspouts now and then to confirm it runs free. Once water reaches the ground, it needs somewhere to go besides the foundation. If the property has underground drainage or a French drain, make sure it is clear. Where pipes cross the yard, watch for patches of grass that are suspiciously lush and green, which can signal a broken or leaking line, and treat water backing up inside the house as the warning it is. If the home has a sump pump, test it on a regular schedule and replace it promptly when it weakens.
SIDING
High winds can peel siding off a house. If an upgrade is coming anyway, look at storm- resistant options. Otherwise, focus on repairs: replace rotten boards, secure every plank, sand down chipping paint, and protect the siding’s integrity with a fresh coat of paint or stain before the wet season starts.
11
October 2026
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