High winds have the potential to cause damage to your house and property. Here are some helpful tips to protect your home from wind damage.
Secure Items Around the Property
Backyard belongings that aren’t secured can become projectiles that damage your home or your neighbor’s property. Items that can be dangerous in extreme winds include garden tools, lawn furniture, grills, bikes, and sporting equipment.
If you’re expecting windy weather, items should be stowed in a shed, garage, or basement to reduce the likelihood of damage to your home.
Maintain Trees on the Property
If your trees have dying or damaged branches, remove them as soon as possible. During bad weather, a windblown tree branch could come crashing through a window or the roof. Call a professional to take care of large branches or trees that are dangerously close to the house.
Protect Your Home From Wind Damage: Inspect Your Roof
Look at your roof, checking for debris, loose shingles, or bare spots. Heavy winds can easily tear off loose shingles and leave your home more susceptible to water damage. Similar to maintaining your property’s trees, examine the roof in time for any damage to be fixed before the stormy season.
Reinforce Doors and Windows to Protect Your Home from Wind Damage
Install storm shutters to reinforce windows. They offer protection from wind and impact. In some areas, you might qualify for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance by installing storm shutters.
If a storm moves in unexpectedly, add plywood to doors and windows before the winds hit your neighborhood. Reinforce your garage door with a kit you can purchase at the hardware store.
Keep an Emergency Supply Kit Stocked
A storm may create a situation where it’s unsafe to leave your home for a while. Keep your family prepared by stocking up on some essential items. You can purchase a disaster kit online or create your own based on your family’s needs.
- Manual can opener
- Cash
- Extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Three days of food and water for each family member
- If you have an infant, keep extra diapers and formula
- Toilet paper
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Toys, water, and food for pets
- Extra trash bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Medications
- First-aid kit
- Solar phone chargers
- Sleeping bags or blankets
- Change of clothes
- Fire extinguisher
- Magazines, books, games and other forms of entertainment
- Important documents secured in a fire-proof safe
- Emergency contact numbers on hand
Inspect All Weather Stripping
The purpose of weatherstripping is to keep your windows and doors from allowing wind, rain, and dirt from entering the home. Not only will proper weatherstripping help protect the home in heavy winds, but it will prevent drafts all year round. This helps boost your home’s energy efficiency.
AmeriSpec Inspection Services provides home inspection services, including wind mitigation inspections, to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Contact us to schedule an appointment.