You depend upon your hurricane shutters to protect your home when the weather outside turns dangerous. In order to do this successfully, your shutters must be properly maintained. These five simple tasks will keep your shutters in peak working condition as long as you complete them every few months.

1. Clean and Inspect Tracks

Accordion and roller-style shutters will have a track system. Any leaves or debris in the tracks can prevent the shutters from operating properly when you need them most. Clean out the tracks regularly and test the shutters to make sure they are moving along the tracks smoothly. You can rub the interior of the tracks lightly with a silicone lubricant to help the shutters move more easily.

2. Lubricate Moving Parts

Every shutter design has some moving parts. There may be hinges, for example, or roller wheels that fit into the track. Accordion shutters have a long hinge on every fold. Each moving part should be lubricated once or twice a year to ensure easy movement. Use a silicone lubricant made for use on garage doors, as this won't gum up due to weather variations.

3. Test Operate the Shutters

When a storm is bearing down on your home, you don't have time to fight with your shutters to make sure they are working properly. Open and close the shutters manually at least once a month. If your home is equipped with remotely operated shutters, it is a good idea to test the remote software to make sure it is working as expected. Software updates for remote shutter app controls can sometimes change settings, so regular testing helps you avoid issues in the event of an actual storm.

4. Replace Damaged Parts

Your shutters are on the exterior of your home, always exposed to the elements. Over time parts will become damaged. Hinge pins may need to be replaced, latches might require new parts, or dented panels may require repair. Catching damages and scheduling repairs immediately helps you avoid a nasty surprise when you are trying to close the shutters ahead of a hurricane.

5. Repair Finish Damages

Blown debris and hailstones can scratch the finish on your hurricane shutters. This may seem like a minor cosmetic issue, but it can lead to rust and corrosion problems down the road. Keep touchup paint on hand and fix any damages to the finish immediately.

Contact a hurricane shutter dealer and service company for more help with any shutter maintenance needs.

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