Texas gets hail in the spring, severe wind almost any month and hurricanes along the coast from June through November. A storefront that is ready before the storm opens faster after it. Here is the plan we use with multi-site clients.
Before the season
- Clear gutters, downspouts and roof drains. Standing water on a flat roof finds every weak seam.
- Walk the roof edges. Loose flashing and cracked sealant around penetrations are cheap to fix in March and expensive in May.
- Measure every storefront opening. Keep a sheet of sizes per site so plywood can be cut before the crew arrives.
- Photograph the exterior. A dated set of before photos makes insurance claims simpler.
What to stage
For coastal sites, keep pre-cut plywood, fasteners and signage on hand during hurricane season. For hail country, keep a short list of approved roof patch materials and a vendor on call for glass.
After the storm
- Make it safe. Board broken openings, sweep glass and debris, and mark hazards.
- Stop water. Patch or tarp active roof leaks and clear blocked drains.
- Document. Take photos from the same angles as the before set, with the date visible in the work order.
- Replace and reopen. Order glass, schedule permanent repairs and remove the board-up when the new glass is in.
Keep it in one ticket
Board-up, cleanup and follow-up repairs should live in one work order thread with photos at each step. That way the claim, the invoice and the site history all tell the same story.