Hurricane season starts June 1. Tampa handyman checklist: 10 repairs to do now to protect your home before storm season hits.
Tampa Bay is in one of the most hurricane-prone corridors in the country. Every June 1, the clock starts. The homeowners who make it through storm season with the least damage are the ones who took care of a list of small repairs in April and May — the ones that cost $200 to fix now but $5,000 to fix after a storm tears them open.
1. Re-caulk all exterior penetrations
Windows, doors, hose bibs, electrical boxes, AC lines — any gap in your exterior envelope is an entry point for wind-driven rain. Florida sun degrades caulk every 2–3 years. A full exterior re-caulk takes 2–3 hours and costs $150–$250. Skip it and a Category 1 storm can push a gallon of water through a gap the width of a pencil.
2. Repair or replace exterior door weatherstripping
Worn weatherstripping lets wind noise in on calm days and water in during storms. Replacing a full door's weatherstripping takes under an hour and costs $60–$120. If the door itself has swollen, warped, or doesn't latch tightly, plan for a door replacement before June.
3. Secure loose fence panels and gates
A loose fence section is a projectile in 80 mph winds. Walk your fence line and push each panel — anything that moves needs a post set in concrete or rails re-secured. This is one of the most common Tampa handyman jobs in May, and one of the cheapest to fix now vs. after a storm.
4. Check and re-secure garage door hardware
Garage doors are the largest opening in most Tampa homes and one of the most common failure points in hurricanes. Check that the hinges, rollers, and vertical tracks are tight and rust-free. If you have a single-layer door without hurricane bracing, call a garage door specialist — this one exceeds handyman scope.
5. Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts
Clogged gutters overflow and push water toward your foundation and fascia. A gutter cleaning and downspout flush takes 60–90 minutes and costs $100–$175 for a standard Tampa home. While we're up there, we check for any loose sections or separations that need re-hanging.
6. Patch any existing drywall water damage
If you have a water stain or soft spot on a ceiling or wall from a previous leak, that area is already weakened. A storm that pushes moisture through a loose shingle can turn a cosmetic stain into a structural issue fast. Patch it now, before storm season gives it a reason to get worse.
7. Repaint or touch up peeling exterior paint
Peeling exterior paint is an open invitation for moisture intrusion. A stucco touch-up, sanded smooth and repainted with two coats of UV-stable exterior paint, creates a barrier that holds up through wind and rain. This is especially important on older Tampa stucco homes where hairline cracks have been ignored for a season or two.
8. Check and replace damaged window and door screens
Screens won't stop a hurricane, but torn screens become debris in high winds. Replace damaged screens and make sure all screen frames are properly seated. For pool enclosures and screen rooms, inspect the frame anchors — loose frames fail early in storms and the screens become sail-like loads on whatever they're attached to.
9. Install or test hurricane shutters and anchors
If you have accordion shutters, test every panel before you need it. If you have panel shutters, make sure the bolts and anchors are present and rust-free. Installing anchor bolts for panel shutters is handyman work; fabricating new shutters or installing impact glass is a licensed contractor's job.
10. Secure outdoor fixtures and loose items
Mailboxes, light fixtures, house numbers, hose reels, and anything wall-mounted on your exterior should be checked and tightened. A loose light fixture that blows off becomes a projectile. Most of these can be checked and secured in a 2-hour visit as part of a storm-prep bundle.
Frequently asked questions
- When should Tampa homeowners do hurricane prep repairs?
- April and May — before the June 1 season start. Contractors get booked fast in May. A Tampa handyman can handle most of this list in one or two visits in April.
- What's the most important hurricane prep repair for a Tampa home?
- Exterior caulking and weatherstripping are the highest-value repairs per dollar. They prevent the most common storm damage: water intrusion through gaps around doors, windows, and penetrations.
- Can a handyman do hurricane prep work in Tampa?
- Yes — caulking, weatherstripping, fence repair, gutter cleaning, screen replacement, exterior painting, drywall repair and minor anchor work are all within handyman scope. Garage door bracing, impact glass, and shutter fabrication require licensed specialists.
- How long does a hurricane prep visit take?
- A standard storm-prep list (caulking, weatherstripping, gutter flush, fence check, exterior touch-up) typically runs 3–5 hours. We can bundle multiple items into one visit and clear most of the list in a day.
- Do you offer hurricane prep services in Tampa?
- Yes — Fenelon Handyman Services does seasonal storm-prep visits across Tampa, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, South Tampa, Carrollwood, Lutz and surrounding areas. Text your address and we'll build a custom prep list.
Book your Tampa storm-prep visit before June 1. Text (786) 509-5555 — fully insured, one visit clears most of the list. Book a storm-prep visit.
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