If you live in a part of the country that gets hit by hurricanes or tornadoes, you might be concerned about how to keep your house safe during these calamities. It’s important to know what can happen to prepare for it, and there are a few ways to minimize damage from high winds. Here are five practical steps to prevent wind damage to your homes you don’t want to miss. Take a look.
Make Sure Your Roof is in Good Condition.
Here’s how to check for damage:
- Look for loose or missing shingles. Shingles are protective layers on top of roofs made out of asphalt or another material that prevents water from getting into the insulation below them. They’re vulnerable to being blown off by strong winds during storms or even by normal weather conditions like heavy rain or hail. If they are missing, they must be replaced immediately.
- Check for loose or missing gutters. Gutters collect water from around your house using downspouts and direct it away from your foundations. There isn’t too much pressure on them when heavy rain is outside (downspouts should also be diverted away from foundations).
Prepare Your Windows.
You cannot go wrong with windows. Here’s what to consider:
- Make sure all windows are closed and secured.
- Caulk or seal small cracks around your windows. (Repair them if any!)
- Install storm windows. Storm windows can be beneficial during extreme weather events because they’re designed to withstand high winds without breaking.
Secure Your Deck
If you have a deck, ensure it’s secured to your house. If there’s a chance that the deck could be lifted off of its supports by solid winds, secure it with extra fasteners or even some rope. Don’t allow your deck to overhang your home by over a few inches. This will prevent damage from high winds (and falling trees).
Furthermore, if you have a pool, cover it with a tarp or plywood. Keep loose objects in the yard tied down or put away. If you have evergreen trees on your property, cut them back so they don’t blow over and damage anything else.
Make Sure Trees Are Far From Your House
Trees are a beautiful addition to your home but can also be dangerous. When you plant trees, you must consider how close they are to the house and other structures that make up your property. It’s not only about how much damage a falling tree might cause—but also about what happens if winds get bad enough that one of those trees falls over.
It would help if you always kept an eye out for weak branches and any issues with root systems growing away from the center of the trunk toward buildings or other objects on your property. If any of these things seem like problems, cut them down as soon as possible before things get worse!
Hire a Wind Mitigation Inspector
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already on the right path to safety! But there are a few steps left. Hiring a wind mitigation inspector is one of them. Wind mitigation inspection in Orlando can be done through your insurance company or by hiring an independent inspector.
Here’s why it’s important:
- They will help determine whether or not your house needs additional bracing or sturdier construction materials (spikes, nails, and joists at least 6 inches long) installed to protect against high winds.
- They can also help save money by identifying areas where vital repairs need to be made. They don’t make your home vulnerable to future damage during storms or routine weather changes.
So stay safe, and consider a wind mitigation inspection in Orlando today!
Conclusion
Knowing what you can do before they strike is essential to protect your home from nature’s wrath. Wind damage can be devastating and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs if you are not adequately prepared for these weather events. We are sure the above tips were helpful.
