Nor’easter season on Seven Mile Island tends to arrive after most second-home owners have packed up and headed home. That timing is the challenge. A storm can roll through Avalon, Stone Harbor or Sea Isle City while the house sits empty, and nobody is there to pull in a loose chair or notice a clogged gutter. The good news is that most storm prep can be done ahead of time, in one focused visit, so the house is ready to ride out whatever the winter brings.
Here is a practical pre-storm checklist for shore homeowners who will be away for much of the off-season.
Walk the Exterior With Wind and Water in Mind
Wind finds whatever is loose, and water finds whatever is open. Start outside and look at the house the way a storm would.
- Clear gutters and downspouts so heavy rain drains away from the house instead of spilling over or backing up.
- Look for lifted or missing shingles, loose siding, and trim that has started to pull away.
- Check the caulking and seals around doors and windows, especially on the sides of the house that face the ocean or the bay.
- Make sure vents, dryer exhausts and other openings have their covers in place.
- Note any small problems now. A loose board in November is an easy fix. The same board after a few storms can mean water inside the wall.
Secure or Store Anything That Can Move
Even if you have already closed up the deck for the season, it is worth a second look before storm season gets going. Items that seemed fine in October can become a problem in a strong wind.
- Bring in or tie down furniture, planters, grills and trash cans.
- Take down hanging decor, flags and wind chimes.
- Check that outdoor shower doors and gates latch firmly.
- Make sure anything stored under the house or in a ground-level garage is up off the floor, so standing water has less to reach.
Plan for Power Outages and Water
A storm that knocks out power or pushes water into low areas can create problems that build quietly while you are away. A little planning goes a long way.
- Know where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are, and make sure whoever looks after the house knows too.
- If the house has a sump pump, test it before the season starts.
- Set the thermostat to a steady temperature so the heat comes back on its own if power drops and returns.
- Unplug electronics you will not be using over the winter.
- Confirm the plumbing has been winterized or that the heating system is set to protect the pipes.
Document the House Before the Weather Turns
One of the most useful things you can do is take a set of clear, dated photos of the house as you leave it. Walk the outside, the roof deck, the deck and the ground level, then do the same inside. If a storm leaves damage behind, you will have a simple record of how things looked beforehand, which makes it much easier to spot what changed and talk through repairs.
While you are at it, put together a short contact sheet: who has a key, who to call for repairs, and how to reach you. Keep a copy somewhere you can find it from home.
Have Someone Ready to Check In After a Storm
Prep work lowers the odds of trouble, but it does not replace a set of eyes on the house. After a big storm, the most important thing is getting someone inside and around the property quickly, before a small leak or a broken window has days to do more damage.
That is a big part of why we built the Home Care Program for owners who are away for the winter. The Essentials plan includes monthly winter watch visits, and the Elite plan adds bi-weekly winter watch plus two post-storm inspections, along with priority scheduling if something needs attention. Clients can follow along through their client portal, so you can see what we found without making the drive.
Get Your Shore Home Storm-Ready This Fall
A single prep visit now can save a lot of worry later. If you would like help getting your house ready for nor’easter season, or want someone checking on it after storms all winter, take a look at our Home Care Program or call Avalon Construction & Property Management at (609) 741-6996. We are happy to walk through the house with you and talk about what makes sense for your property.