Post-Storm Exterior Cleanup in Florida
A Northeast Florida storm passes. The power’s back on. The water’s gone. But your roof, gutters, siding, and driveway are carrying salt spray, plant debris, and a layer of whatever the wind picked up between Jacksonville and here. FCPE’s post-storm cleanup service is a priority-scheduled exterior reset designed to rinse your home, protect your finishes, and document conditions for insurance — all before the next system comes through.
Why post-storm matters in Northeast Florida
Three reasons every NE Florida coastal or inland home benefits from a post-storm cleanup:
Salt air eats siding, metal, and paint. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center documents that even tropical storm-force winds carry salt aerosol 10+ miles inland. Salt dries into a film on siding, accelerates oxidation on aluminum fencing and pool cages, and embeds in paint. A timely rinse removes it before it cures in.
Organic debris jump-starts mold, mildew, and algae colonies. Wet leaves, palm fronds, and tree bark trapped in gutters, roof valleys, or against siding create the exact conditions mold needs: moisture, organic food, and warm humidity. The University of Florida IFAS extension has documented mold colony establishment within 24-72 hours of Florida storm events.
Insurance claims benefit from documented conditions. If your roof needs replacement or your fence got hit by debris, professional-grade before/after photos of the surrounding exterior strengthen the claim. We document while we clean.
What FCPE’s post-storm reset includes
- Roof debris removal — leaves, branches, palm fronds cleared by hand from roof, valleys, and ridge lines
- Gutter flush — full gutter and downspout clearing with water-flow verification; the #1 point of post-storm failure
- Siding salt rinse — low-pressure clear-water rinse that lifts salt film before it bonds (done within 14 days for best results)
- House softwash (if needed) — for homes that took heavier mud splash, leaf stain, or mold bloom
- Driveway + walkway reset — pressure wash of flatwork surfaces
- Condition photo log — timestamped before/after documentation, shared digitally, usable for insurance if needed
Emergency vs scheduled pricing
FCPE runs two tiers of post-storm service:
| Tier | Response window | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Priority (Annual Plan clients) | 72 hours after storm passes, first-come-first-served | Included for debris/gutter; softwash at Annual Plan rates |
| Standard post-storm | 7-14 days | A la carte rates for services actually performed |
We do not charge “storm surge” markup pricing. That’s predatory. Our published rates apply post-storm as they do any other week. See our pricing page.
Hurricane season calendar
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 to November 30. The NHC climatology shows NE Florida peaks in activity late August through mid October.
Before each major system threatens the First Coast, we release scheduling slots for priority clients in the forecast cone. After each system, those slots activate as debris clearing, gutter flush, and rinse appointments. Clients on our Annual Exterior Plan get automatic priority standing.
Pre-storm prep we recommend
Before a system arrives, FCPE’s pre-storm checklist (free, share-widely):
- Clear gutters and downspouts 2-3 days before landfall
- Secure patio furniture, grills, umbrellas, trampolines — anything wind-mobile
- Document your exterior with phone photos (roof, siding, fencing, pool cage, pavers)
- Take pre-event photos of HVAC, generator, pool pump, and any big exterior assets
- Clear pool deck drains and skimmer baskets
The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a full homeowner prep checklist at FloridaDisaster.org.
What we don’t do after storms
Straight talk — FCPE is a cleaning and property-care company, not a storm restoration contractor. We do not:
- Tarp roofs with structural damage
- Extract floodwater from interiors
- Do tree removal or limb cutting
- Repair or replace damaged fencing, pool cages, or roofing
We will refer you to licensed storm restoration partners if those services are needed. Our scope is cleaning, rinsing, documenting, and resetting finishes — which becomes more critical after storm contractors finish structural repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after the storm can you come?
If power, roads, and safety allow, Annual Plan clients are scheduled inside 72 hours. Standard scheduling is 7-14 days depending on demand. We prioritize by storm severity, proximity, and safety.
Will you come if I’m still without power?
Usually yes. Our crews carry water and power. We’ll coordinate access with you (or a neighbor / realtor / PM with a key). If your home is not safely accessible, we reschedule.
Is the service covered by insurance?
Sometimes. Policies vary widely. Cleaning is generally not reimbursable on its own, but documented conditions from our photo log support claims for other damage. Talk to your agent.
What if my roof was damaged?
We photograph the damage clearly, clear any debris that’s safe to remove, and recommend you pause cleaning until a licensed roofer has assessed. Adding water to a compromised roof can escalate damage. We won’t do that.
Do you service beachfront properties with more exposure?
Yes. Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, South Ponte Vedra — salt exposure is higher, so we recommend a post-storm reset after every named system regardless of impact level.
Northeast Florida service area
Post-storm cleanup is available across St. Johns County, Duval County, and Nassau County. Annual Plan clients: you’re already on the priority list. Everyone else: call (904) 466-1622 or book below.
First Coast Property Experts — The Gold Standard, Every Time. Serving St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau Counties with more than a century of combined expertise. BBB rated A.