Accordion shutters
Folding blades on top and bottom tracks. We clean the tracks, lubricate wheels and locks, and check center locks, end bars and keys.
Handyman Services · Accordion, roll-down and panel shutters
Hurricane shutter maintenance and repair in Central Florida
Quick answer
Hurricane shutters only protect a home if they close, lock and stay put. HandyMangum's yearly pre-season shutter service covers accordion, roll-down and storm panel systems: we inspect every shutter, clean and lubricate tracks and moving parts, check and replace missing or stripped hardware and anchors, label and inventory panels and their storage, test operation, fix minor problems, and send you a written report with photos. The best time is in the spring, before hurricane season starts on June 1. Call or text (407) 699-1123 for a free estimate.
Why shutters need yearly maintenance
Shutters sit unused for most of the year in salt air, sun and summer rain. Tracks fill with dirt and pollen, accordion wheels and locks seize, roll-down slats stick, and panel hardware goes missing or strips out of the wall. Most people find out when a storm is a day away and the shutters will not close.
A yearly service finds those problems in the spring, while there is time to fix them or order a part, so closing up for a storm is a routine job instead of a scramble.
Who it is for
- Homeowners with accordion, roll-down or storm panel shutters
- Anyone who bought a home with shutters and is not sure they all work
- Older homeowners who want the work and the checking done for them
- Families who live out of town or are away part of the year
- Landlords and property managers with shuttered rentals
- Condo owners responsible for their own shutters (check your association's rules first)
What the yearly service includes
Inspect every shutter
Tracks, headers, sills, slats, accordion blades, panels, locks and the wall around each anchor.
Clean and lubricate
Dirt and debris cleared from tracks and moving parts, then a lubricant suited to the shutter type on wheels, locks, rollers and guides.
Hardware and anchors
Missing, rusted or stripped bolts, wing nuts, sill and header fasteners and anchors replaced where a matching repair is possible.
Label and inventory
Panels numbered to their openings, hardware counted and bagged, and the storage spot organized so anyone can find what goes where.
Test operation
Each accordion and roll-down opened, closed and locked; panels test-fitted where you want them checked.
Fix minor issues
Sticking tracks, loose locks and small alignment problems fixed on the spot when the part is on hand.
Written report with photos
What we checked, what we fixed, anything that still needs attention and the panel and hardware count, with photos.
Shutter types we maintain
Roll-down shutters
Slats that roll into a box over the window. We clean the guides, check the slats and test manual cranks and straps. Motor, switch and wiring problems go to the manufacturer's dealer or a licensed electrician.
Storm panels
Steel or aluminum panels on tracks or studs. We check sill and header tracks, anchors and wing nuts, and label each panel to its opening.
Clear and fabric panels
Polycarbonate and fabric storm panels checked for cracks, tears, grommets and fasteners.
Bahama and colonial shutters
Hinges, arms, latches and fasteners checked, tightened and lubricated.
Optional storm visits
A storm-prep visit to close shutters and secure the outside, and a post-storm check visit. See below.
Best timing: before June 1
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Spring is the best time for the yearly service: the weather is drier, schedules are open, and there is time to order a missing panel, key or part before the first storm.
If your shutters were used during the season, a quick check afterward catches stripped anchors, bent hardware and missing pieces while you still remember where everything went.
What to do when a storm is coming
Watch the forecast
Follow your county emergency management office and the National Hurricane Center. Do not wait for the last day to close up.
Get the panels and hardware out
Use the labels and inventory from your service, and check you have the keys, cranks, wing nuts and tools.
Close and lock every shutter
Accordion locks engaged, roll-downs fully down and locked, panels on every opening with every fastener tight.
Keep a way out
Make sure everyone can still get out of the house in an emergency, and that a roll-down can be opened by hand if the power goes out.
Secure the outside
Bring in patio furniture, grills, planters and decorations, and photograph the house for insurance records.
Optional storm-prep and post-storm visits
Storm-prep visit
When a storm is forecast, we can close and lock your shutters, put up labeled panels and secure loose items outside. Visits are booked in order and depend on our schedule, so arrange it early.
Post-storm check visit
Once it is safe, we open or take down shutters, count and store panels and hardware, check the shutters for damage and photograph the outside of the house. We coordinate damage and restoration work, such as water, storm and fire damage, through trusted restoration partners. HandyMangum does not perform restoration work itself.
Wind mitigation and insurance
A wind mitigation inspection, done by a licensed inspector, documents the wind-resistant features of your home, including opening protection such as shutters. Some Florida homeowners receive insurance credits based on that report. Ask your insurance agent whether it applies to your policy; we cannot promise any savings, and HandyMangum does not perform these inspections.
Good to know
- Book in the spring. Once a storm is in the forecast, every shutter company and handyman is booked, and we cannot promise a time slot.
- Use the lubricant your shutter maker recommends. Oil and grease attract dirt and sand in tracks; dry silicone is common for many tracks, but check your manual.
- Keep panels, hardware and tools together, labeled, and somewhere you can reach without a ladder.
- Bent tracks, cracked or damaged panels and failed roll-down motors are beyond a minor repair. We tell you what we find and can point you to the manufacturer or a shutter company.
- We maintain and repair the shutters you already have. We do not sell or install new hurricane shutters or impact windows; for those, talk to a licensed shutter or window contractor.
- If any part of the job needs a permit or a state-licensed trade, such as new plumbing lines or new wiring, we tell you during the quote and that part is handled by properly licensed professionals.
Related services
Hurricane Shutter Maintenance & Repair FAQs
How often should hurricane shutters be maintained?
At least once a year, in the spring before hurricane season starts on June 1, and again after any storm in which they were used.
What does hurricane shutter maintenance include?
An inspection of every shutter, cleaning and lubricating tracks and moving parts, replacing missing or stripped hardware and anchors, labeling and counting panels, testing operation, fixing minor issues and a written report with photos.
Do you repair hurricane shutters?
Yes, for minor repairs on existing shutters: stuck tracks, loose or seized locks, alignment, and missing or stripped hardware and anchors. Bent tracks, damaged panels and roll-down motors usually need the manufacturer or a shutter company, and we tell you if that is the case.
How do I lubricate accordion shutters?
Clean the top and bottom tracks first, then use the lubricant the maker recommends on the wheels, track and locks. Avoid oil and grease, which collect sand and dirt.
Can you put up my shutters when a storm is coming?
Yes, as an optional storm-prep visit when our schedule allows. Visits fill quickly once a storm is forecast, so it is best to arrange it early in the season and know how to close your shutters yourself as a backup.
Do you install new shutters?
No. We maintain and repair the shutters you already have. We do not sell or install new hurricane shutters or impact windows; for those, talk to a licensed shutter or window contractor.
Will shutter maintenance lower my insurance?
Maintenance alone does not change your policy. A wind mitigation inspection, done by a licensed inspector, documents the wind-resistant features of your home, including opening protection such as shutters. Some Florida homeowners receive insurance credits based on that report. Ask your insurance agent whether it applies to your policy; we cannot promise any savings, and HandyMangum does not perform these inspections.
How do I get an estimate?
Estimates are free. Call or text (407) 699-1123, or send the online request with a few photos. We send a written quote before any work starts.
Book your pre-season shutter service
Call or text (407) 699-1123, or send the online request with a few photos. Estimates are free on every job.