Hurricane Preparedness: Home Readiness Edition

Living in central Virginia means we get to enjoy long, sunny summers and relatively mild winters, but we do have to deal with our fair share of brutal storms. Depending on the year and weather patterns, Virginians may experience several hurricanes and tropical storms or none at all. That’s why hurricane preparedness is so important. Hurricanes have a habit of switching directions at the last minute, and if you and your family are not adequately prepared to hunker down safe and sound, it can be an extremely stressful and potentially dangerous time.

Here at Bradley Mechanical, we always put safety first. We encourage our customers to utilize the numerous resources out there, but we also want to do our part to provide our top tips with a hurricane preparedness guide for your home.

Hurricane Home Readiness

Here are some of the central systems you should have in place and keep in good working condition to properly weather out a hurricane or tropical storm:

Invest in an Automatic Standby Generator

One thing hurricanes and tropical storms are notorious for is cutting off the power. Depending on the damage, homeowners could be without power for several hours or several days. A lack of power could mean residents have to go without access to life-saving medical equipment, heating and cooling to keep extreme temperatures at bay, safe-to-eat food, and so much more.

We always recommend investing in an automatic home standby generator to ensure your home doesn’t have to go without power during an outage. The system will turn on the second the power goes out, making it seem as though you were never without power in the first place. Because it is permanently connected to your home’s electrical system, it can provide you with consistent, reliable power for days.

If an automatic standby generator isn’t a viable solution at the moment, we also recommend having a portable generator on hand. These affordable and small systems can be used relatively quickly in a time of crisis and provide you and your family with emergency backup power. However, always make sure you have extra gasoline on hand and only operate it outdoors and never within your home.

Prepare Your HVAC System

Another way to ensure your home is hurricane ready is by ensuring your HVAC unit is well-maintained and won’t fail you when you need it most. You may also want to invest in surge protection to avoid potential damage to your HVAC system. With extreme winds that can cause power surges and outages, your HVAC is at risk of extreme damage. Surge protection is an ideal way to prevent this and protect your other technology and appliances.

Check Your Drainage Systems

When storm season is upon us, it’s always a good idea to routinely clean out your drains, gutters and downspouts. With hurricanes bringing excess rain and potential flooding risks, the last thing you want to deal with is a blockage that could severely damage your home further. If your plumbing is on the older side and hasn’t been checked in a while, it may be beneficial to have a sump pump installed.

Shield Your Home

Although every storm ranges in intensity, high winds can potentially pick up outdoor furniture and objects and push them in the direction of your home or loved ones. Secure all outdoor items and anchor objects that are difficult or impossible to bring inside, such as gas grills, trampolines and large dining sets. We also recommend having storm shutters to protect you and your family from shattered glass and potential objects entering the home due to high winds.

Don’t Forget the Basics

• Make sure all family members are aware of evacuation plans as well as plans to shelter inside safely.
• Gather emergency supplies, including food, clean water and medicine.
• Keep a first-aid kit handy, along with flashlights, backup batteries and chargers and vital personal, financial and medical records.
• Have a plan to stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors to check in with one another.
• Do not attempt to go outside until officials say it is safe to do so.
• Avoid all floodwater and fallen power lines or downed wires.

Pre-Season Preparedness

Don’t head into hurricane season with any “what ifs.” Preventative maintenance for your home appliances can significantly help with this. Our ESA HVAC maintenance program helps ensure your HVAC system is operating at optimal efficiency all year long. Similarly, our GenPro maintenance plan addresses generator maintenance twice per year to make sure your generator kicks on when you need it most.

Our team can also help you prepare for severe storms with plumbing, electrical and home performance solutions. Reach out to us today to learn how you can keep your home and family safe this hurricane season and beyond.