By Calvin Johnson, VCita Home Inspections

Storm-Ready Means Structurally Sound
When most people think “hurricane prep,” they think bottled water, flashlights, and batteries. All good steps—but if your roof peels off in the first 30 minutes of a Category 4, none of that will matter. Real preparedness starts with your home’s structure. As professional inspectors at Vcita Home Inspection, we see firsthand how a few overlooked issues can lead to catastrophic damage. If your home isn’t physically ready to stand its ground, you’re gambling with more than just property—you’re risking safety, time, and serious money. Here is a hurricane home checklist to get your home ready for the upcoming hurricane season.

Pre-Season Inspection Checklist
At Vcita Home Inspection, we begin every hurricane-readiness check with a system-wide look at your property’s structural integrity. Here’s what we assess:

Roof Condition and Anchorage: We check for missing shingles, weakened trusses, loose fasteners, and improper tie-downs. Signs of sagging, soft spots, or flashing gaps are red flags.
Windows and Doors: We inspect for impact-rated glass, proper seals, and secure frames. Double doors and garage doors get special attention—they’re common failure points in high winds.
Foundation and Structural Connections: We look for cracks, water intrusion, or signs of shifting. Tie-down connectors and load paths are verified for proper installation.
Drainage and Gutters: Clogged or poorly routed gutters can flood your foundation. We make sure runoff is channeled away from the home.
Landscaping Hazards: Overgrown trees, loose gravel, or unsecured lawn décor are potential missiles in hurricane winds.

Common Vulnerabilities Homeowners Miss
Some of the worst damage we’ve seen came from things most people never think about until it’s too late:
Soffit panels that aren’t fastened properly can blow out, letting wind into the attic.
Garage doors without vertical bracing can collapse, pressurizing the house from inside.
Decks and patio roofs attached with nails instead of lag bolts can detach in wind.
Gaps in attic ventilation systems—like unsealed gable vents—can suck in rain.

One homeowner we worked with had a gorgeous backyard pergola—until Hurricane Ian turned it into splinters that shattered their sliding glass door. A few anchor bolts could’ve saved them thousands.

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