Whether you live on the Atlantic or Pacific coastline, hurricane season knows no bounds. From early June to late October and sometimes even into November, there's always the possibility that a strong storm will form over the ocean and sweep up toward the U.S. Damaging winds, torrential rains and flooding are all eventualities when a hurricane looks like it's about to make landfall in your area, and while there's little you can do to prevent it from coming your way, there's plenty you can do to limit the damage to your home.
While some homeowners will just want to keep their lawns from getting chewed up in the storm, others might have more serious concerns about tree limbs falling through their roofs. Whatever the case, check out these three tips to get every part of your home through hurricane season safe and sound.
Chance of rain – 100 percent.1. A delicate tree-tment
If you live in a heavily wooded area or you've recently planted a series of shade-giving trees around your property, odds are that you've seen hurricanes pull down a tree branch or two. While the vast majority of these incidents only bring down power lines and block roads, if you see a particularly weakened branch dangling over your lawn or your home, it's time to trim that sucker before the next hurricane gets to it.
If you're an experienced do-it-yourselfer, all you'll need to protect your home is a top-of-the-line chainsaw and a stepladder. Since you'll be cutting up in the air and on less than stable footing, make sure you go with a model that has systems to reduce vibrations and is equipped with ergonomic handles for steadier operation.
2. Hole in one
Even if your house is safe from the dangers of falling tree limbs, your lawn is directly in harm's way of a torrential amount of rain. While many homeowners think that more rain equals better growing grass, too much of it with an improper drainage system can drown your lawn and possibly kill it for the rest of the fall.
"Get rid of standing water after a hurricane so insects don't populate the stagnant pools."
If you see a hurricane making its way toward your area, get out there with an aerator and create a drainage system of your own. While your lawn is capable of soaking up a normal amount of rainfall on its own, an aerator that punches small holes into your grass will dramatically increase the volume and speed with which large volumes of water are absorbed into the soil. Aside from saving your grass from a watery grave, getting rid of standing water after a hurricane is also a great idea so insects don't start to populate in the stagnant pools.
3. Leaf it alone
Of course, hurricanes don't always leave your house and lawn damaged beyond repair. Sometimes, high winds will just strip the trees around your property of their leaves and deposit them on your lawn for all your neighbors to see.
While there's something to be said for removing leaf debris to improve the health of your grass, wanting to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons is just as valid, too. With a state-of-the-art leaf blower, you can choose between blowing the detritus off your property or sucking it into an over-the-shoulder bag to use as mulch later in the season. If you have a large yard, make sure you opt for a model that's both lightweight and comes with engine options like cruise control for an easier time on your wrists, arms and shoulders.