High winds can be an underestimated cause of home damage. From tearing off roof shingles to knocking down trees, strong winds can be a serious threat to your home.
Knowing how wind causes damage and how to minimize the risk is key to protecting your home before the next storm hits.
HOW WIND CAUSES DAMAGE TO HOMES
Whether it’s roof shingles being torn off or debris from miles away being blown against your house, there are a variety of ways that wind can damage your home.
Homes built with brick are more durable and can better resist wind damage, but no home is completely immune to wind damage. While winds above 80 miles per hour are an automatic cause for concern, Steve Leffers, Restoration Project Manager and Head Designer at Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana, cautions against dropping your guard during lower speed winds.
“Thirty-, 40-mile-per-hour winds, while not necessarily remarkable, can create damage for sure,” Leffers says.
HOW TO MINIMIZE THE RISK
Regular maintenance and inspections of your home are crucial in minimizing the risk of wind damage to your home. Pay attention to your vinyl siding and roof shingles
“Thinking of vinyl siding or a 25-year-old shingle on a roof, you may want to inspect things to see if they’re loose by getting a roof inspection,” Leffers says. “A lot of times we’ll see shingles lift because what happens over a period of time, the adhesive that binds them together, it deteriorates.”
If you see shingles blowing in the wind, resecure them, and check for loose pieces on your gutters, fascia, soffit, and siding. Fasteners on your siding can also come loose over time due to vibration from the wind. Everything may look okay from the outside, but if you hear a loud noise, check whether it’s your siding coming loose and vibrating to create the sound.
“It’s practical maintenance that prevents a lot of wind damage,” Leffers says.
When high winds are headed your way, close your windows and doors. Leffers also recommends moving cars inside the garage and securing any vulnerable outdoor items. Bring your pets inside.
HOW TO RESPOND IF WIND DAMAGES YOUR HOME
Doing everything you can is important because wind mitigation differs from other hazards like fire or water — something unexpected could happen. Objects and debris can blow from a block away from your house, creating damage you can never anticipate. If wind damages your home, assess the damage and call your insurance agent first thing, Leffers says.
“Wind can create a dynamic where it’s a little bit deceptive in terms of what you’re seeing,” he says.
Once you remove branches, debris, or other materials that have blown against your home, Leffers recommends power washing your home. That might reveal that the damage isn’t as severe as it initially appeared.
If you need professional, reliable storm damage restoration, you can trust our team of Difference Makers at Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana. Give us a call at 260-436-7510. We respond quickly, prevent further damage, and restore your home safely and efficiently.
