The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will end on November 30. Now would be a great time to share some hurricane shutter maintenance tips.

Hurricane shutters are your property’s first line of defense against hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, and flying storm debris. Shutters protect your building’s window glass from breaking and leaving the inside of the structure exposed to wind damage, flooding, and dangerous debris. Ensuring your hurricane shutters are in top working order is vital to hurricane preparedness. You will never know when the next hurricane may land in your area, and by the time a hurricane warning is issued, it may be too late to make necessary repairs to your shutters.

It benefits the longevity of your hurricane shutters to have them inspected and maintained annually. Storm Smart provides free in-home consultations. 

Inspect hurricane shutters to confirm that:

• They open and close all the way
• Nothing is visibly broken
• They move smoothly
• No debris is blocking their path of movement

Whether you hire a hurricane shutter maintenance expert to inspect your shutters or do it yourself, give the shutters a close visual inspection and note any cosmetic damage.

For example, metal shutters can get dented, and wooden shutters can have broken or missing slats.

While examining the shutters, clear out any debris from their mechanisms or in their tracks. For instance, leaves, twigs, and other yard waste may get lodged there.

Finally, open and close all your shutters a few times to ensure they work correctly and smoothly.

Perform the following maintenance:

• Clean shutters with mild soap, water, and a clean cloth or soft brush (no abrasive cleaners)
• Lubricate casters, tracks, and locks (ideally, do this twice a year)
• Operate the shutters at least once a month (to keep them running smoothly)

Though there are different types of hurricane shutters, the basic maintenance performed on them is essentially the same. Accordion shutters, roll-up shutters, and colonial shutters have moving parts, hardware, and tracks that must be cleaned and lubricated.

For example, for accordion shutters, lubricate their rollers and wheels so they can slide into place easily. For Bahama shutters, lubricate the bolts and hinges so they swing open and close smoothly, as well as roll-up shutters — lubricate all their moving parts.

After cleaning and lubricating your shutters, operate them at least once a month to ensure they stay working as they should. That way, if any new issues arise, you’re not caught by surprise when a storm is on the horizon.

When Is Hurricane Shutter Repair Required?

Like anything with moving parts, hurricane shutters can break from time to time. The motors of electrically-operated shutters or the cranks of hand-operated shutters can break, meaning you’ll have to repair or replace them. Also, the slats on wooden colonial-style shutters can break or come off completely. Metal shutters can also suffer from dents and dings that you should have repaired.

Whenever your shutters have issues that need repairing, it’s essential to call a hurricane shutter repair specialist immediately to get them fixed as soon as possible.