Introduction: Why You Need to Protect Your Outdoor Space From Storms – Before It’s Too Late Protect Your Outdoor Space
In recent years, homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic, especially in areas like Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling, have seen an undeniable uptick in extreme weather events. Sudden thunderstorms, torrential rains, and high winds are no longer rare occurrences but regular threats that demand swift, strategic action. As climate patterns continue to shift, storms are arriving faster, hitting harder, and causing more property damage than ever before.
Your outdoor space, the deck where your family grills, the patio where you unwind, the garden you’ve nurtured, represents both a financial investment and a key part of your home’s livability. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most vulnerable areas when a storm rolls in. Unsecured furniture, weak tree limbs, poorly drained yards, and loose structures can become dangerous liabilities in seconds. And when it comes to storm damage, reactive fixes often cost more, take longer, and leave your space unusable right when you need it most.
That’s why proactive preparation is not just smart, it’s essential. Taking preventive steps to protect your outdoor space from storms can significantly reduce the risk of costly damage, personal injury, and post-storm stress. In fact, simple adjustments like anchoring furniture, pruning trees, or weatherproofing storage areas can dramatically improve your property’s storm resilience.
At MGS Contracting Services, we don’t just remodel homes, we help homeowners build spaces that are as safe and functional as they are beautiful. Our team specializes in storm-resilient outdoor remodeling solutions that are designed to withstand the realities of our region’s unpredictable weather. From fortified decks and heavy-duty patio structures to secure storage and drainage systems, we approach every project with long-term durability in mind.
In this guide, we’ve compiled five expert-backed, easy-to-implement tips that will help you protect your outdoor space before the next storm hits. These aren’t just common-sense suggestions, they’re practical insights from professionals who understand how to design, build, and maintain outdoor spaces that perform under pressure.
If you’re looking for a fast, reliable way to prep your yard, patio, or deck for storms without second-guessing yourself, keep reading. This is your go-to checklist to feel confident and in control, whatever the weather brings.
Tip 1: Reinforce and Relocate Outdoor Plants Protect Your Outdoor Space
When preparing to protect your outdoor space from an incoming storm, one of the most commonly overlooked but highly vulnerable elements is your plants. Whether you have an expansive garden or just a few decorative pots lining your patio, these living features are especially susceptible to wind, rain, and flying debris. Failing to secure them properly not only puts the plants themselves at risk, it can also lead to broader property damage if pots tip over, shatter, or become projectiles in strong gusts.
Why It Matters Protect Your Outdoor Space
Outdoor plants, especially potted ones, are lightweight and often unanchored. During high winds, a top-heavy or loosely packed pot can be easily knocked over. If that pot is made of ceramic or concrete, it becomes a heavy object that can damage your deck boards, siding, or windows, or even injure someone nearby. Moreover, intense rain can lead to soil erosion, root rot, or plant displacement, particularly if pots are on uneven ground or poorly drained surfaces.
For homeowners who have invested time, money, and energy into their landscaping, losing a garden bed or a row of planters to one bad storm can be heartbreaking, and expensive. More importantly, unsecured landscaping elements can compromise the safety and integrity of your home’s exterior.
Protecting your outdoor space means thinking beyond just large structures. Plants may seem harmless, but they are part of your home’s ecosystem and need to be treated with the same level of preparation.
What the Pros Recommend Protect Your Outdoor Space
1. Add Extra Mulch to Pots and Garden Beds
Professional landscapers and builders recommend adding a thick layer of mulch, especially in planters and beds near the home, prior to an expected storm. Mulch not only helps retain moisture and stabilize the soil during heavy rainfall but also adds weight to potted plants, reducing their chance of tipping over in gusty conditions. Choose heavier bark mulch or stone chips rather than lightweight straw, which can blow away easily.
2. Group Plants in Sheltered, Low-Wind Zones
One of the simplest ways to minimize wind exposure is to gather pots and group them in a corner of your porch, balcony, or patio that’s naturally protected from direct wind. Arrange larger, heavier planters on the outside, creating a natural barrier to protect smaller and more fragile plants. Grouping pots together also prevents them from falling into one another or scattering across your outdoor space.
3. Stake or Anchor Tall Plants and Top-Heavy Pots
For plants with tall stalks or top-heavy growth, garden stakes are essential. Anchoring these to sturdy supports can prevent snapping, leaning, or toppling over during windstorms. In pots, stakes can also be used to tie the entire container down using heavy-duty garden twine secured to a railing, fence, or post.
4. Wrap Delicate Blooms With Breathable Fabric
To protect fragile blooms and leafy plants from harsh wind and cold rain, loosely wrap them in burlap or a lightweight fabric like muslin. This not only reduces windburn and leaf tear but also protects against cold snaps. Make sure to use breathable material that allows airflow and prevents mold buildup.
5. Relocate Planters to Indoor or Covered Spaces
If possible, bring potted plants indoors before the storm hits. A covered porch, sunroom, garage, or shed are ideal spaces. Not only does this protect the plants from wind and rain, but it also keeps your patio or yard clear of loose objects. For homeowners with large, decorative urns or built-in planters, consider using waterproof covers that secure tightly at the base.
MGS Bonus Tip: Invest in Wind-Smart Landscaping Solutions Protect Your Outdoor Space
At MGS Contracting Services, we understand that landscaping is an integral part of your home’s curb appeal, and we build with that in mind. If you’re tired of constantly moving or worrying about your potted plants every time a storm rolls in, consider long-term solutions like:
- Custom Wind-Screen Fencing or Retaining Walls: Designed to reduce direct wind exposure to your garden zones and outdoor living areas, these structures are both functional and visually appealing.
- Integrated Planter Boxes in Deck Layouts: We design and install raised planter boxes that are built directly into your deck structure, secure, anchored, and wind-resilient. These allow you to enjoy greenery without the risk of movement or storm damage.
- Drainage-Conscious Design: Every plant area should be evaluated for runoff and saturation risk. Our team can help you redirect water flow away from key garden beds and minimize erosion.
When you choose MGS, you’re not just choosing aesthetic upgrades, you’re investing in durability and storm-smart planning. Let’s talk about how we can help you protect your outdoor space with style and strength.
Tip 2: Check and Prune Trees Strategically Protect Your Outdoor Space
When it comes to protecting your outdoor space from storm damage, one of the most critical, yet frequently underestimated, tasks is evaluating the condition of the trees and large shrubs surrounding your home. Trees are beautiful assets that provide shade, privacy, and curb appeal, but they can also pose significant risks during high winds and heavy rain.
Failing to properly maintain your trees can turn a picturesque yard into a high-risk zone. Overgrown limbs, rotting trunks, and leaning trees are among the leading causes of exterior home damage during storms. Roof punctures, damaged siding, broken fences, and smashed decks are just a few of the costly consequences of ignoring this essential form of storm prep.
Why It Matters Protect Your Outdoor Space
Storm-downed limbs and uprooted trees are not only hazardous to your home, they can also endanger your family, pets, vehicles, and power lines. In many cases, even moderate wind can snap a weakened or overextended branch, sending it crashing onto whatever lies below. When trees grow too close to your home or overhang parts of your outdoor living space, that risk increases exponentially.
Additionally, poor tree health is often invisible to the untrained eye. A tree may look stable from a distance while harboring internal rot, pest infestations, or root instability. These hidden problems make the tree far more likely to collapse or split during a storm, creating an urgent safety concern.
When you’re taking steps to protect your outdoor space, strategic tree inspection and pruning should be at the top of your checklist, not just for aesthetics, but for your property’s structural security.
What the Pros Recommend Protect Your Outdoor Space
1. Prune Loose, Dead, or Overextended Branches
Professional landscapers and arborists agree that the number one preventative measure you can take is pruning. Remove any branches that appear brittle, overgrown, or that extend too close to the house. Focus especially on limbs hanging over your roof, gutters, windows, deck, or outdoor furniture zones. These are high-risk areas for impact damage.
Pruning should be done cleanly and at the proper junctions to avoid inviting pests or disease. It’s best to use sharp tools or consult a professional if you’re unsure how much to cut. Prune well before the storm season begins, so your trees have time to recover and strengthen.
2. Assess for Structural Weakness
Walk around each major tree in your yard and inspect it closely. Look for any signs of cracking near the trunk, splitting where large limbs branch out, or fungal growth around the base, all of which can be indicators of internal rot or structural instability. If a tree is leaning noticeably, especially toward your home or outdoor structure, it may be time to have it professionally removed or braced.
3. Cut Back Shrubs and Low-Lying Branches
Shrubs and bushes located near siding, windows, or the foundation can cause water to pool and block proper drainage during storms. Overgrown shrubbery also traps moisture, which can lead to siding rot or mildew on exterior walls. Trimming them back ensures your home’s drainage system functions as it should and helps prevent siding damage during a heavy downpour.
4. Check Root Exposure and Drainage Around Trees
After a long rain, check if water pools around the base of your trees. Standing water can weaken roots, making trees more likely to fall in high winds. If roots are exposed, you may need to add soil and mulch or have the area regraded to improve drainage. Root care is just as essential as branch care when protecting your outdoor space.
MGS Bonus Tip: Design With Tree Risks in Mind Protect Your Outdoor Space
At MGS Contracting Services, we approach every outdoor remodeling project with both function and foresight. During any deck, patio, or exterior remodel, we always assess tree placement and potential hazards. If a nearby tree could pose a threat to your new outdoor structure, we’ll help you develop a solution that balances aesthetics with safety.
Here’s how we take it further:
- Storm-Rated Pergolas and Patio Covers: We design structures that are not only beautiful but engineered to endure falling branches, heavy rain, and strong winds. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Custom Placement Plans: We’ll help you reposition outdoor elements (like seating areas or fire pits) to reduce their exposure to overhanging trees. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Drainage and Landscape Integration: If tree roots are impacting the grading of your property or causing drainage issues, we can help integrate hardscape or water management features into your remodel.
Remember, a well-maintained yard isn’t just about beauty, it’s about resilience. Regular tree inspection and strategic pruning are among the smartest ways to protect your outdoor space and prevent expensive, avoidable storm damage.
Tip 3: Secure Outdoor Furniture and Décor Protect Your Outdoor Space
When preparing your home for an incoming storm, one of the most urgent steps you can take to protect your outdoor space is securing your furniture and decorative elements. While these items enhance comfort and curb appeal on a calm day, they can quickly become dangerous in severe weather conditions. Tables, chairs, umbrellas, grills, and garden accents may seem harmless when stationary, but in high winds, they can turn into damaging projectiles.
Many homeowners underestimate just how easily even heavy furniture can be lifted or shifted by wind gusts. And when these items are airborne, they don’t just risk damage to your belongings, they can break windows, dent siding, crack decking, or injure someone nearby. Worse, many insurance policies only cover part of the cost of damage caused by unsecured items, leaving homeowners stuck with hefty repair bills.
Why It Matters Protect Your Outdoor Space
During a storm, unsecured outdoor furniture is one of the most common culprits behind avoidable home damage. Wind speeds as low as 40 miles per hour are enough to lift a standard patio chair or umbrella off the ground. In major weather events, these objects can strike doors, windows, and vehicles, or cause damage to neighboring properties. The risk doesn’t end there, displaced grills and propane tanks can also present fire hazards if not properly secured.
Leaving décor and furnishings outdoors can also shorten their lifespan. Cushions become saturated, wood may warp, metals can rust, and finishes degrade when exposed to heavy rain or debris. Taking the time to secure your furniture not only protects your outdoor space, it protects your investment.
What the Pros Recommend Protect Your Outdoor Space
1. Stack and Secure Lightweight Chairs
Stacking patio chairs neatly and binding them together with bungee cords or weather-rated straps is a quick and effective way to reduce their wind exposure. Place the stacked set against a wall or under a table for added support. This simple step can prevent chairs from being flung across your yard, or into your home’s siding.
2. Use Tie-Downs, Lawn Stakes, and Sandbags for Heavier Pieces
For larger or heavier items like dining tables, benches, or fire pits, you’ll want to anchor them more securely. Tie-down straps and lawn stakes can be used to connect furniture to the ground or to a structural anchor point. Alternatively, sandbags or weighted covers can be placed on top of furniture to hold it in place. Just be sure not to trap water underneath, as pooling can cause rot or mold.
3. Move Lightweight Items to Covered Storage
Smaller items like planters, lanterns, cushions, garden stools, and children’s toys should be brought inside. Even if they don’t pose a major structural threat, they can be damaged beyond repair if left exposed or scattered by the wind. Utilize a garage, shed, or waterproof outdoor storage bin to quickly declutter your patio or porch in the hours before a storm.
4. Don’t Overlook Umbrellas and Shade Structures
Patio umbrellas are one of the most frequently damaged items in outdoor areas during windstorms. Even when closed, their large surface area acts like a sail, catching wind and toppling furniture. Always remove umbrellas and store them flat indoors. The same goes for pop-up tents, temporary gazebos, and freestanding canopies, if they’re not permanently secured and storm-rated, they should be taken down entirely.
5. Remove or Tie Down Decorative Elements
Don’t forget about the accents, ceramic planters, solar lights, hanging baskets, water features, and sculptures should all be removed or anchored securely. These elements often slip under the radar but can still cause damage or injury when airborne.
MGS Bonus Tip: Invest in Integrated Storage Solutions Protect Your Outdoor Space
At MGS Contracting Services, we design outdoor living spaces with both elegance and practicality in mind. One of the best ways to prepare for unpredictable weather, and avoid the frantic rush before a storm, is to build storm-safe, built-in storage into your outdoor design.
Here’s how we help homeowners protect their outdoor space year-round:
- Hidden Storage Benches and Nooks: These stylish and weather-resistant benches double as seating and secure storage. They’re perfect for stowing cushions, kids’ toys, planters, or small furnishings before a storm hits.
- Custom Storage Enclosures: We build integrated storage cabinets, deck boxes, and utility nooks that blend seamlessly into your outdoor aesthetic while providing a secure home for seasonal décor and furniture.
- Permanent Anchoring Solutions: For items you want to leave outside year-round, we can install custom anchoring systems designed to keep heavy furnishings in place through high winds and heavy rain.
Storm prep doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. With the right combination of forethought and design, you can enjoy a beautiful, clutter-free outdoor space that stands up to whatever nature throws your way.
Tip 4: Lock Down the Driveway Essentials Protect Your Outdoor Space
When preparing for a storm, most homeowners focus on the backyard and patio, but the driveway often goes unnoticed. Yet it’s one of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of your property. Trash bins, bikes, yard tools, mailboxes, basketball hoops, and garden carts are all commonly stored or left in the driveway. While these might seem like minor or immovable items, in strong winds they can cause major damage, not just to your own home, but to your neighbor’s property or passing vehicles as well.
Protecting your outdoor space means looking beyond the backyard. Your driveway is a critical zone where loose objects, unsecured fixtures, and poorly designed layouts can quickly escalate into safety hazards during a storm. What’s more, because the driveway typically leads directly to your home’s garage or entryway, any debris or water that collects there can make its way indoors, compounding the damage.
Why It Matters Protect Your Outdoor Space
When wind speeds pick up, unsecured driveway items can become airborne or roll into the street. Trash bins can tip and scatter debris, bikes can be blown over or damaged, and unsecured basketball hoops can fall onto cars or garage doors. Portable items left out in the open act like battering rams when propelled by high winds, and in some cases, they can damage siding, windows, or even create punctures in garage doors.
Driveways are also where homeowners often store ladders, lawn tools, fertilizer bags, or gas cans, items that can be both dangerous and environmentally hazardous if damaged or dispersed in a storm. Unfortunately, these objects are often overlooked in last-minute storm prep, which makes securing this area in advance a critical part of any plan to protect your outdoor space.
What the Pros Recommend Protect Your Outdoor Space
1. Anchor or Weigh Down Trash Bins
One of the simplest and most effective ways to stormproof your driveway is to secure your trash, recycling, and yard waste bins. Tie them to a secure structure like a fence post or railing using bungee cords or nylon straps. Alternatively, you can place heavy items like bricks, concrete blocks, or sandbags inside or in front of the bins to keep them from tipping or rolling. This step prevents trash from blowing across your lawn or street, which can lead to clogged storm drains and neighborhood hazards.
2. Secure or Dismantle Portable Basketball Hoops
Portable hoops are designed for flexibility, not stability. Even when filled with sand or water, they can still tip in high winds, damaging vehicles, garage doors, or nearby landscaping. If your hoop is portable, lower it to the ground, remove the backboard if possible, and bring it into the garage or lay it flat and tie it down. Avoid relying solely on weighted bases, they are rarely enough to withstand a true wind event.
3. Store Yard Tools, Sports Gear, and Loose Items Indoors
Before any storm, gather yard tools, bikes, scooters, toys, garden carts, hoses, fertilizer bags, or fuel containers and store them securely in a garage, shed, or weather-rated storage bin. These items can either be damaged by water or wind, or become dangerous if scattered across the driveway. Bikes left out are especially prone to rust and frame damage when exposed to prolonged rain or flooding.
4. Inspect Your Mailbox and Address Signage
If your mailbox is old, loose, or mounted to a rotting post, it may be at risk of toppling or becoming a projectile. Reinforce or replace the post with a pressure-treated or steel post if needed. Check any address signage, hanging planters, or decorative elements near the front of your property and remove or secure them in advance of a storm.
5. Clear Drainage Paths and Ensure Water Can Flow Away
Water pooling in your driveway can lead to flooding near your garage or foundation. Before a storm, sweep the area clear of leaves, dirt, and mulch that might block grates or drains. Make sure the grading of your driveway slopes away from the house to prevent water from backing up into your garage or low-lying areas.
MGS Bonus Tip: Build a Better Buffer with Smart Storage and Hardscaping
At MGS Contracting Services, we take a full-property approach to protecting your outdoor space. If you find yourself scrambling to gather bins and tools every time a storm alert is issued, it may be time to invest in a more permanent solution.
Here’s how we can help:
- Custom-Built, Anchored Bin Enclosures: These enclosures are designed to keep your trash and recycling bins secure, hidden, and shielded from wind and rain. Built with durable materials and integrated into your existing driveway or fence line, they add both function and curb appeal.
- Storage Fences with Integrated Access Panels: Our design team can install attractive fence extensions that double as secure storage zones for tools, hoses, and bikes, keeping everything safe and out of sight year-round.
- Concrete Apron and Drainage Enhancements: We can reshape and reinforce the base of your driveway with a concrete apron to improve drainage and reduce pooling near your home’s entrance. Integrated trench drains or swales can redirect water flow and minimize erosion during storms.
Taking action now means fewer risks, fewer surprises, and less damage down the line. Protecting your outdoor space isn’t just about your yard, it includes every surface, corner, and structure exposed to the elements. Your driveway is the front line. Make sure it’s ready.
Tip 5: Inspect and Fortify Outdoor Structures Protect Your Outdoor Space
When it comes to preparing for severe weather, one of the most critical yet overlooked areas is your existing outdoor structures, the built elements of your exterior space like sheds, pergolas, patio covers, awnings, carports, and even detached garages. While they’re designed to enhance functionality and aesthetic value, these structures can become liabilities during a storm if they aren’t properly maintained, reinforced, or built to withstand local weather patterns.
Securing loose elements, checking for structural weaknesses, and performing routine inspections before storm season can mean the difference between minor inconvenience and thousands of dollars in repair costs. In fact, improperly anchored structures are one of the leading causes of wind-related damage in residential homes, especially in storm-prone areas like Northern Virginia.
Why It Matters Protect Your Outdoor Space
Storm-force winds and heavy rain put enormous pressure on outdoor structures. Weak connection points, old screws, worn roof panels, or rotted frames can be ripped apart or collapse entirely, damaging nearby fencing, siding, vehicles, or even the home’s primary structure. Even a small pergola with loose beams or rusted fasteners can collapse under wind pressure or flying debris.
Moreover, these structures are often overlooked because they “seem” sturdy, until it’s too late. Wind doesn’t always hit straight-on. It curls under eaves, lifts from below, and exploits any vulnerability in joints, panels, or roofing. If your shed door swings open during a storm or a pergola beam comes loose, it can cause widespread damage to everything around it, your furniture, planters, windows, and more.
Inspecting and reinforcing these structures before a storm hits is one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways to protect your outdoor space.
What the Pros Recommend Protect Your Outdoor Space
1. Inspect All Freestanding Structures for Loose Components
Carefully examine any freestanding elements in your yard, including sheds, gazebos, pergolas, patio covers, and shade structures. Look for signs of instability such as wobbling, rusted screws, loose nails, sagging beams, or cracked wood. Test each anchor point, especially where the structure meets the ground or attaches to your home.
2. Tighten, Reinforce, or Remove Temporary Fixtures
Use galvanized steel hardware or heavy-duty anchors to reinforce weak connections. For lightweight, portable structures, like pop-up gazebos, fabric awnings, or temporary shade sails, disassembly is often the safest option. Remove and store them in a secure, dry space before the storm. These structures are not designed to endure storm conditions and can tear apart easily, becoming wind-borne debris.
3. Lock Doors, Windows, and Access Panels
If your outdoor structure includes windows, doors, or access hatches, make sure everything is fully closed and securely locked. If the area is particularly exposed to wind, consider installing additional barrel bolts or storm clips. In areas at higher risk for wind uplift, such as exposed shed roofs or canopy overhangs, use plywood or polycarbonate panels to cover windows or vulnerable gaps.
4. Clean and Maintain Gutters, Roofs, and Downspouts
Your outdoor structures must have proper water management systems to prevent roof collapse or flooding. Clogged gutters or downspouts can cause rainwater to overflow and pool on the roof or around the base of a shed or covered patio, weakening the structure from above or below. Regularly clean gutters and flush downspouts before heavy rain is forecasted. Check for sagging gutters and make sure water flows away from the foundation.
5. Check for Rot, Mold, or Termite Damage
Even minor structural decay can compromise the integrity of outdoor buildings during storms. Inspect wood structures for softness, discoloration, or surface crumbling, especially near the ground line. If any part of the frame is compromised, it should be repaired or replaced immediately. In the case of large-scale damage, a full rebuild with storm-rated materials may be the safer long-term solution.
MGS Bonus Tip: Build With Storm-Resilience in Mind Protect Your Outdoor Space
At MGS Contracting Services, we don’t just create beautiful outdoor living spaces, we engineer them to stand the test of time and weather. Whether you’re building a new pergola, enclosing your patio, or upgrading your storage shed, we use storm-rated materials and best-in-class construction methods to minimize your risk during major weather events.
Here’s how we can help you protect your outdoor space through smarter design:
- Heavy-Duty Anchoring Systems: We secure all pergolas, sheds, and overhead structures with high-grade anchors rated for wind uplift, soil movement, and seismic vibration, ideal for unpredictable Mid-Atlantic weather patterns.
- Durable, Weather-Resistant Materials: From rot-resistant composite posts to reinforced polycarbonate roofing panels, our materials are selected for longevity, stability, and performance under pressure.
- Drainage-Aware Design: We incorporate integrated drainage systems that divert rainwater away from both the structure and your home’s foundation, preventing water pooling, soil erosion, and mold growth.
- Retrofitting Existing Structures: Already have a pergola or outdoor shed? Our team can evaluate its storm-readiness and recommend targeted reinforcements or upgrades to bring it up to safety standards.
Your outdoor structures are only as strong as the care and planning that go into them. With smart maintenance, strategic reinforcement, and quality materials, you can dramatically reduce the risk of storm-related losses and ensure that your outdoor living space stays secure and functional all year long.
Let MGS Contracting Services help you build, or rebuild, structures that don’t just look good, but perform when it matters most.
Final Checklist: Fast Storm Prep Essentials Protect Your Outdoor Space
Storms often strike with minimal warning, so when the forecast turns serious, you need a fast, reliable plan to protect your outdoor space from costly damage. Below is your go-to checklist, each item based on professional advice and field-tested strategies, to help you stormproof your yard, patio, driveway, and garden quickly and efficiently.
These steps are designed to minimize risk, prevent property loss, and keep your home exterior looking and functioning its best long after the skies clear.
1. Mulch, Anchor, and Relocate Plants Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Why it matters: Unsecured potted plants and lightweight planters are easily toppled or turned into projectiles in high winds. Fragile blooms can also suffer from windburn or overwatering from heavy rain.
- What to do fast: Add mulch to potted plants to weigh down the soil and prevent tipping. Group planters together in wind-sheltered corners. Stake taller plants, wrap delicate blooms in burlap or breathable cloth, and bring smaller pots indoors or into a garage if possible.
- Protect your outdoor space by making sure your garden stays intact and doesn’t become a source of scattered debris.
2. Prune Trees and Remove Weak Branches Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Why it matters: Overhanging limbs and unhealthy trees are a major source of storm damage, capable of falling on your roof, deck, or fence, and endangering people and pets.
- What to do fast: Use pruning shears or a saw to cut back any branches that are dead, weak, or leaning toward your home. Check trees for signs of internal rot or structural issues near the trunk base. Trim shrubs away from your siding and outdoor drains.
- Protect your outdoor space from falling limbs that can cause thousands in repairs or block emergency access.
3. Tie Down or Relocate Furniture and Décor Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Why it matters: Outdoor furniture, umbrellas, toys, and décor can quickly become airborne in high winds, damaging windows, walls, or even neighboring properties.
- What to do fast: Stack lightweight chairs and secure them with bungee cords. Anchor tables, grills, and benches with sandbags or lawn stakes. Remove and store umbrellas, lanterns, and cushions inside a garage or shed. Don’t forget small items like hanging planters or solar lights. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Protect your outdoor space by ensuring that every object is either secured or safely stored.
4. Secure Trash Bins, Driveway Items, and Tools Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Why it matters: Driveways are often cluttered with bins, bikes, and equipment that can roll or fly in high winds, causing unexpected damage. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- What to do fast: Tie trash and recycling bins to a fence post or anchor them with bricks. Bring bikes, yard tools, and scooters indoors. Lower and secure portable basketball hoops or lay them flat and weigh them down. Clear your driveway of all loose items. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Protect your outdoor space by clearing the front of your home just as thoroughly as the back.
5. Inspect and Reinforce Outdoor Structures Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Why it matters: Sheds, pergolas, canopies, awnings, and patio roofs can fail under storm pressure if they have loose components or drainage issues. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- What to do fast: Check every outdoor structure for signs of rust, rot, or instability. Tighten screws and reinforce joints. Lock all doors and windows, and board up if necessary in high-risk zones. Clear gutters and downspouts to ensure stormwater flows away from your home’s foundation. Protect Your Outdoor Space
- Protect your outdoor space by ensuring your structures are stable, sealed, and storm-ready.
Need Help Storm-Proofing Your Property? Protect Your Outdoor Space
At MGS Contracting Services, we design outdoor spaces that aren’t just beautiful, they’re built to weather the storm. Whether you need professional help upgrading your patio, fortifying your pergola, or adding custom storm-safe storage, our team is ready to help you protect your outdoor space with durable, design-forward solutions.
Don’t wait for the next storm to start preparing. Contact us today to build smarter, safer, and stronger. Protect Your Outdoor Space