On Galveston Island, hurricane season isn’t hypothetical — it runs June 1 through November 30 every year. Most storm damage prep happens in a panic when a system is already in the Gulf. The smarter move is to get your home’s exterior ready in late spring, once, and not think about it again. Here’s a practical checklist.
Do this before June 1
1. Clear the gutters and downspouts
This is the big one. Gutters that can’t move water send it down your siding and against your foundation during exactly the heavy-rain events hurricane season brings. Clear the troughs and flush the downspouts so water actually exits away from the house. (More on timing in our guide on how often to clean gutters in Galveston.)
2. Check where water goes when it leaves the downspout
Make sure downspouts discharge away from the foundation, not into a puddle beside it. Splash blocks or extensions are cheap insurance against pooling.
3. Wash and inspect the exterior
A pre-season house wash isn’t just cosmetic — cleaning the siding is a chance to spot problems while you’re looking closely: loose panels, failing caulk, soft or rotted trim, and gaps where wind-driven rain could get in. Fix small issues now, not during a warning.
4. Clear the yard of anything that becomes a projectile
Trim dead or overhanging branches, and know where you’ll move loose items — furniture, planters, décor — when a storm is named. High winds turn small objects into siding-and-window damage.
5. Look at the roofline and flashing
From the ground (or with a pro who’s already up there cleaning gutters), check for obviously lifted shingles, loose flashing, or damaged soffit and fascia — the places wind and water exploit.
Why late spring, and why one trip
Contractors get slammed the moment a storm is forecast, and prices and availability follow. Getting your exterior handled in April or May means it’s done calmly, on your schedule, and you’re not competing with the whole island the week a system enters the Gulf.
Let us line up the exterior work
Gutters, a house wash, and a set of trained eyes on your exterior — we can match you with one vetted local pro to handle the exterior items on this list before the season, so it’s one call and one clear price.
This checklist covers exterior maintenance only. For evacuation plans, insurance, and life-safety preparation, follow guidance from the City of Galveston and local emergency management.