Hurricane Shutter Inspection and Preparation
Why It Matters
Shutters that do not deploy when a hurricane is approaching leave your windows and home interior exposed to catastrophic wind damage.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Silicone spray, Socket wrench. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the hurricane shutter inspection and preparation
Test all hurricane shutters for proper operation, lubricate tracks, and verify all mounting hardware.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If if shutters are stuck or hardware is severely corroded, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Silicone spray
- Socket wrench
Community Tips
Inspect shutter tracks and rollers for debris accumulation and corrosion before hurricane season begins, as sand, leaves, and salt spray can prevent shutters from closing fully. Apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone Spray ($6-10) to all moving parts, then operate shutters through 5-10 complete cycles to distribute lubricant and verify smooth operation.
Misaligned guide rails are the leading cause of shutter failure during storms—even minor 1/8-inch deviations can jam the entire system under wind pressure. Before the season hits, close shutters fully and look for uneven gaps or binding; if found, call a professional rather than forcing adjustment, as bent tracks may collapse mid-deployment.
A socket wrench set ($25-50) with a 3/8-inch drive is essential for tightening loose mounting bolts on fixed hurricane shutters, which vibrate loose over time and compromise storm protection. Check and re-torque all visible fasteners annually, as even hand-tight bolts that have worked loose can reduce shutter integrity by up to 30%. ---