Are Your Accordion Shutters Ready For The 2025 Hurricane Season?

When it comes to preparing your Florida home for hurricane season, there are a few non-negotiables, stocking up on supplies, creating an evacuation plan, and most importantly, ensuring your hurricane shutters are in top condition. While most homeowners remember to close and secure their shutters once a storm is on the radar, many forget a crucial step: properly cleaning and lubricating them ahead of time.

Neglecting basic maintenance on your accordion shutters doesn’t just put your home at risk, it can also cost you time, money, and peace of mind when it matters most. Let’s break down why this simple task is one of the smartest ways to protect your property this hurricane season.

What Are Accordion Shutters, and Why Do They Matter?

Accordion shutters are specially designed to shield your windows and doors from high winds, flying debris, and pressure changes during tropical storms and hurricanes. In areas like South Florida, where hurricane season can be unpredictable and severe, shutters are an essential line of defense.

Accordion shutters, in particular, are a popular choice among homeowners. They’re permanently affixed to the sides of windows and can be easily pulled shut when a storm approaches. But just like any mechanical system exposed to the elements, they need routine care to keep functioning properly.

Why Cleaning Your Accordion Shutters Is Essential

Florida’s humid, salty air is tough on metal. Over time, dirt, sand, mildew, and salt can build up in the tracks and hinges of your accordion shutters. When left uncleaned, this grime can lead to corrosion, rust, and even complete mechanical failure.

Here’s what can happen if shutters aren’t cleaned regularly, Tracks can jam, making it nearly impossible to close them during an emergency. Dirt buildup can scratch and wear down components, shortening the lifespan of the shutter. Mold and mildew can form, especially if water gets trapped in dirty crevices and of course visual appearance suffers, leaving your home looking uncared for year-round.

The Importance of Lubrication On Accordion Shutters 

Once your accordion shutters are cleaned by Gardens Home Management Services, lubrication is the next step. Accordion hurricane shutters have rollers, hinges, and locks that allow them to open and close smoothly. These moving parts are prone to seizing up if not properly lubricated.

Without lubrication, tracks and hinges can grind or stick, locks may jam, making it harder to secure the shutters and you may have to force the shutters open or closed, increasing the chance of damage

It’s Not Just About The Storm, It’s About Being Ready

One of the biggest risks of ignoring accordion shutter maintenance is being caught off-guard. When a hurricane warning is issued, you may only have hours to prepare. Struggling with stuck or rusted hurricane shutters could delay your entire prep process, or worse, leave your home exposed.

Think of this maintenance as a fire drill. You hope you won’t need to use your shutters this year, but if you do, they should be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

Signs Your Accordion Shutters Need Maintenance

If you’re unsure whether your accordion shutters are due for some TLC, look out for these warning signs, difficulty sliding them open or closed, visible rust or corrosion, cracked or stiff hinges, excess dirt or leaves in the tracks or a squeaking or grinding sound when operating them.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to call Gardens Home Management Services.

Do It Yourself  vs. Professional Maintenance

You can clean and lubricate your accordion shutters yourself if you’re comfortable with a ladder and some elbow grease. However, if your shutters haven’t been serviced in years or if you’re not confident in their condition, it’s best to hire a professional. Plus, hiring a professional allows you to sit back and relax while we handle all of the hard labor. 

A maintenance technician can, Inspect for hidden damage or wear, perform a deep clean, apply the correct lubricants and ensures the locks and fasteners are secure

A Small Task Can Have Big Benefits 

Properly maintained accordion shutters don’t just protect your home, they protect your investment, your time, and your sense of security during hurricane season, especially when you’re away from your Florida home. Hiring Gardens Home Management Services can help protect your home in the long run. 

Don’t wait until there’s a storm in the forecast. Make shutter maintenance part of your annual spring checklist so you can head into the season confident that your home is storm-ready. 

Call Gardens Home Management Services TODAY to ensure your home is ready for hurricane season!