Closed on house Monday
 

What idiot buys a new construction house 2 days before a monster hurricane? I’m your guy!
Without power @ 1:02am.
Our lanai screen door woke me up @ 1:25am banging open shut in the storms peak gusty winds. Secured by 1:30, used a light tie down strap I packed as a last item from leaving the apartment in Georgie (no where else to put it as we were all packed up- how’d I know!) and a heavy tool box from garage as an anchor to keep it closed the rest of the night. Naked, in the wind and driving rain. Got soaked in seconds, why get any clothes wet? Now get that picture out of your mind. Also had also set up an emergency ‘honey bucket’. Any takers what that is?

And power just came back on @ 6:02 as I type this! Hot damn!
I must say, my experience with TV builders, their whole operation, has been nothing short of AMAZING!
Our purchasing here was very spontaneous. Meaning no research prior. Wife and I came to Florida to look at a few 55+ communities last May. Met our wonderful realtor here. She informed us when view lots became available. We bid for one, and actually secured it our first time around. Came in for the design visit weeks later.
From early on, I noticed TV runs a finely tuned operation. In everything they do, it seems to be done right. Well managed, plenty of manpower.
I went outside at 5:45am. Someone with a very powerful flashlight was already walking the neighborhood scouting for damage. Lots of new construction in our neighborhood. Sitting in our driveway was today’s newspaper! I think that service has the post office’s motto beat..

A shout out to SECO! With all the outages in the greater area, we only lost power for about 5.5 hours!
Seriously impressed with TV & SECO.
Thoughts and prayers to those who were in the direct path of the storm.

Welcome to Florida !
 

In 2 days you are now a real Floridian ! Gotta be a record . Good thinking on keeping clothes dry thats thinking on your feet. We are blessed to be in the Villages. No power outage by Sumter that I’m aware of … glad you’re back up and running and still with humor intact. Welcome

Good test of the new house.

Congrats.

:gc:

Welcome to Florida and the Villages!

On the plus side, nice weather usually follows a hurricane.

just wait, it will probably get even better than that!

Good morning and welcome aboard

Would something like lost shingles be covered under the new home warranty?

...You might want to put clothes on now :)

I was out at 3:00AM scouting for trouble. None to be found. Wasn't naked but made hot cocoa afterwards.

Irma was far worse and our neighborhood never lost power. I am surprised you lost power. SECO has a lot of practice with wind.

Sunny and warm after today.

Welcome, you will further thank yourself when your at the pool or the square in December, LOL

Congratulations to moving into the best place on the planet!

Welcome to retirement heaven. Although there are a few scary storms, it's one of the safest places to be in Florida. All the best to you.

Welcome home!

PS - thanks, for not posting pix

I have seen this problem. For me it was caused by the force on the lanai screen on the latch side of the door causing the vertical aluminum structure to which the sprung catch is attached to flex. It only needs to flex about 1/2 inch. This means that even locking the screen door does not help, because there is nothing to catch on.

In this storm, I used some strong 2 or 3 mm cord (climbing quality) and a trucker's hitch with a column that supports our roof at the other end from the latch. (I started with a standard taut line hitch, but it was not sufficiently taught. The trucker's hitch is easily tightened by the 2:1 mechanical advantage.) Even with that, the door itself was visibly flexing. You can remove the door, before the wind starts, but insects, frogs, etc. will probably use the entrance while it is open. The twine used at lumber yards to tie objects down to cars and trucks works well. Just use two or three Lengths of it for extra strength.

IAN (2022) occured before our closing and the rod on the closing piston was bent as a result of it slamming open. The technique above worked in Nicole, shortly after closing.

This time was different though. Two of the large lanai screens pulled out from the base. Peak winds were likely mid 60's mph here. Calling the pool installer later for screen replacement. They have all of the specs.

Another solution would be adding a horizontal beam at the level of the latch so there are two screens instead of one full height screen. That would prevent the flexing where it matters.

Nope, act of nature

If the shingles are rated up to a certain wind speed that could be a warranty issue. Phone calls to the warranty department are cheap.

Quite an initiation!! Welcome to The Villages, you're going to love it!!