Sunday, September 04, 2011

Trying To Reason With The Peak Of Hurricane Season

Okay, hurricane season is getting serious, as it does every year around my Mom's birthday, so be sure you are ready.

Your hurricane shutters won't do you any good if they are rusted shut, or gunked up with mud dauber nests, wren nests, and a year's worth of windblown leaves and debris.


These shutters are on the house where I grew up in St. Augustine. Each year, either my brother or I do a clean and lube job on them so they can be shut securely with no last minute surprises.


This job consists of :
  • Walking around the house and zapping each wasp nest with wasp spray in a preemptive strike.
  • Next, old wren nests are cleaned out of the corners (this year there were 3).
  • Then the shutters, which fold accordian style, are opened and thoroughly lubed with WD-40 or something similar.
  • Latches are activated to make sure everything works and then they are secured in the open position until needed.



Don't let Katia (or her minions) be a Caught Ya ...
... unprepared that is.

13 comments:

Island Rider said...

Katia? Did I miss something? I don't watch the news, can't stand their hysteria. Do I need to turn it on?

Suzan said...

Yeap!! Mom's aren't fancy like yours. You slide the one piece of wavey sheet metal over the window and it's there until the end of October. She's set and in her cave now!

Carol said...

No storm shutters here. We live in a mobile home. Figure it would go the same time the shutters did. During Charlie, Francis & Jean we evacuated to the motorhome. Parked it along side our 16'32 wooden shed, and parked the boat on the opposite side. Other vehicles in various positions around it. Everything was "sacrificial". It worked for those 3...hope we don't have to do it again. LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi FC,

You and your brother are great sons. I wish a couple of friends of mine would help their folks. They don't have the "time". They'll wish they made the time one day.

P

R.Powers said...

Cathy,
Are you on vacation again? I don't think Katia is an issue for us, but the Atlantic is bubbling.

Susan,
Based on how dark Mom's place gets, CAVE is the right word. At least Miss Elaine is safe!


Carol,
It sounds like you circled the wagons. :)


Patio,
Can you imagine? NOT helping your folks?
I don't get it.
Hey I saw your Cedar Key comment, that should be a blast.
It will be waterfowl city along the causeway by then.

threecollie said...

Thanks for the advice on hurricane preparations...I am afraid they may come in handy even up here.

Miz S said...

Happy birthday to your mom! She raised 2 good boys. Hope y'all get some nice rain but nothing too crazy from these storms.

R.Powers said...

3C,
Seriously, the northeast is the new market for hurricane shutter salesmen.

Miz S,
Minimal rain yet, but hope springs eternal.
Thanks!

Sandcastle Momma said...

I love those shutters! We checked on having something like that installed after Ivan and they wanted over 8k to do my house. So for now we have our trusty plywood sheets and the hubby and I get to enjoy the fun and togetherness of hanging them when storms threaten. Hopefully we won't need them this year!

Thunder said...

Sorry FC, been off the grid for awhile!

Pretty fancy storm shutters there, but I gues when you're sitting in a near direct hit zone you can justify those! ;-)

We had some pretty good storms come rolling through up here on Sunday, but no significant damage. Looks like the remnants of Lee will hit us over hte next few days too.

R.Powers said...

SandMomma,
I hope the Lee weather wasn't too bad in your spot. It did seem like you were getting lots of rain on the radar.


Dave,
Ack, off the grid all weekend here. My Hughesnet internet was running like a snail. I don't know, but suspect Lee interference.

Julie Zickefoose said...

Go git 'em, Guns! This post gets the Zick Stamp of Approval. Well, except for removing the wren nests. I can overlook that, though.

Hurricane Protection said...

Hi,

Hurricane season just around the corner, many travelers choose to visit the caribbean and surrounding areas during the hurricane season. Homeowners are seeking ways to secure their homes through the storm season and into the fall. Many are finding a solution to flooding and water damage by upgrading their current gutter systems. Thanks