Seasonal Home Prep
Season-by-season tips to help protect your Long Island home and belongings year-round.
Long Island homes face different risks by season — hurricanes and tropical storms from June through November, frozen and burst pipes in winter, and spring thaw flooding. A little seasonal prep reduces the odds of ever needing a pack-out in the first place, and if you do, it makes the process faster.
Hurricane & Storm Season (June–November)
Long Island's South Shore and coastal communities face real exposure during Atlantic hurricane season. Before storm season ramps up:
Photograph your home's exterior and major rooms now, while nothing is damaged — this becomes your "before" record if a storm hits later.
Move irreplaceable items (documents, photos, heirlooms) to an upper floor or interior closet away from windows.
Check that gutters and downspouts are clear so water has somewhere to go.
Know your evacuation zone and have a plan for pets and vehicles, not just people.
Save our number in your phone — 516-550-0419 — so it's there if you need it in a hurry.
Winter: Frozen & Burst Pipes
Burst pipes are one of the most common sources of contents damage on Long Island every winter, especially in homes with exposed plumbing in basements, attics, or exterior walls.
Keep your thermostat at 55°F or higher even when away, including on vacation.
Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold snaps to keep water moving.
Know where your main water shutoff is — and make sure everyone in the household does too. This is the single most damage-limiting thing you can do if a pipe bursts.
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, and basements.
If you're leaving town for an extended period, ask a neighbor to check the house periodically.
Spring: Thaw & Flooding
As snow and ice melt, saturated ground and heavy spring rain can lead to basement flooding, especially in older Long Island homes.
Test your sump pump before you need it — run water into the pit and confirm it kicks on and drains properly.
Clear window wells and basement drains of leaves and debris left over from fall and winter.
Store basement contents off the floor on shelving or pallets where possible, so a small amount of water doesn't reach them.
Grade soil away from your foundation if you notice water pooling near the house after rain.
Year-Round Habits That Help
- Keep an updated home inventory — even a simple photo walkthrough once a year makes any future claim faster and stronger.
- Know your policy's contents coverage limits and what's excluded, so there are no surprises during an actual claim.
- Keep our number handy. Whatever the season, whatever the damage, we're a call away — 516-550-0419.
Questions About Seasonal Prep
Does prep actually reduce my chances of needing a pack-out?
It won't eliminate risk entirely, but simple habits like knowing your water shutoff or keeping gutters clear meaningfully reduce how often minor issues turn into major losses.
Should I take photos every season, or is once a year enough?
Once a year is a reasonable baseline for most homes. If you make a major purchase — new furniture, electronics, appliances — it's worth adding a quick photo update.