Learn about the most common wind damages that your property can suffer to learn how to prevent them.
Many homeowners are taken aback when they learn that wind damage to their properties is a possibility. When strong winds blow, your home and the surrounding region may be at risk of damage from things like downed trees, uprooted branches, and even collapsed electrical lines. The wind can cause significant damage to your home, despite the concerns we associate with storms. In the instance of heavy winds, shingles may be loosened or blown off the roof. Even now, solid shingles can be torn off in heavy winds. Tree limbs and toppled power wires are only two examples of other wind-related roof damage.
Winds can be detrimental and deadly anyplace in the United States, regardless of their frequency, shape, or power. Although wind might not always appear to be the most severe hazard to a town, the damages can be pretty costly. That’s why it’s critical to understand what kind of damage winds cause. In this article, we guide you on the most common wind damage your property suffers so that you may be able to protect your property against wind damage.
The Most Common Wind Damages
High winds generated by thunderstorms can cause significant losses. To qualify as «damaging» winds, (NSSL) recommends wind speeds of between 50 and 60 miles per hour. While wind speeds grow, the possibility of damage increases. Even though the harm from one hurricane is likely to be greater than that from a particular thunderstorm, storms are a typical occurrence in many parts of the United States during the spring and summer.
- Roofs Damaged by Wind
The wind is more likely to harm the roof’s corners or already-loose sections. This roof area is vulnerable to attack because of the ease with which wind can tear up loose shingles, setting off a domino effect. Falling objects and waste are also significant causes of roof damage. After a lengthy period of wind damage, your roof may begin to leak or decay.
It’s common for your house to be battered by the wind when it’s a windstorm. Much of your house’s weight is transferred through the roof, exterior walls, and foundation. Homes may be damaged or completely demolished if we do not adequately transfer the wind’s energy to the floor. Identify the type of roofing you have before you begin. During a storm, homes with gable roofing are more vulnerable to damage.
The Degrees with Which Winds Damage Your Property
Between 45 to 57 mph
At 45 mph, the destruction is non-severe. It is possible that some tree limbs may fall and harm already vulnerable shingles due to these non-severe winds.
50 to 70 Miles Per Hour
Winds can become very strong at this time, wreaking havoc on nearby vegetation and buildings. Winds in this range can uproot trees, pull off good-condition shingles, and cause problems with chimneys, as well as take down entire tree limbs.
75 mph or More
Trees will be blown over at this speed, mobile homes will be flipped, and business buildings and residences will suffer substantial roof damage.
- Glass and Window Damage
Despite the fact that this might not be the very first place you check for damage after a storm, make sure not to ignore any glass features. Winds can rip seals off of windows and create craters and cracks in the glass. The longer leaks and cracks are left neglected, the more damage they do and the more money they cost to repair.
- Damage to Exterior Equipment
Strong winds can cause damage to a building’s air conditioning as well as heating system, communications equipment, electronic systems, and other outside equipment. If there is a danger that a storm has damaged these systems, make sure you have experts inspect them properly.
- Doors and Wall Exteriors
Extreme winds can shred or tear exterior wall hangings and severely damage external doors. Immediate repairs are often required when wind damage is as severe as this to prevent future damage and maintain a place’s safety.
- Other Vulnerable Areas
Fences are especially vulnerable because of their small weight and operate as a physical barrier to the wind.
Tile uplift and flaws or poor finishing can be made worse by wind-driven rain (e.g., felt laps, flashings, abutments, inadequately secured materials).
Things to do to Prevent Wind Damage
Before the wind picks up, take steps to reduce your exposure to danger. Ask yourself, ‘What could happen to my house?’ In heavy winds, trees near your house, furniture, and other valuables can cause significant harm. Taking safeguards once you’ve identified your dangers is a good idea. Before a storm, it’s a good idea to trim trees, fortify structures, and store projectiles indoors.
You can do so many things to protect your house from the winds. We have listed some of the most crucial steps that every homeowner should take to safeguard their house and property from winds and the harm they pose to your property.
Fix the Problem at Hand
If you see problems like loose fence planks or peeled roof shingles, it’s best to address them before a storm hits so that they don’t cause any more damage. It is better to spend money before the storm on fixing what is broken rather than fixing the roof after the storm when it is further damaged.
Try to make some temporary modifications to prevent broken components from flying around in the wind if you have a short amount of time before a storm hits.
Protect Outdoor Equipment
If there’s a burst of wind, even seemingly innocuous objects like outdoor furniture, a barbecue, garbage/recycling/compost containers, or sports equipment can turn into deadly projectiles.
Before the storm, take a walk across your property and secure any loose items. Avoid putting your car near trees, streetlights, and electrical lines while parked. Use a garage if you have the option. Keep your pets indoors as well.
Take a Closer Look at Trees and Bushes
Cut down dead trees lest they cause any harm to the landscape. The combination of high winds and stray branches might be disastrous. Hire an expert if you are unsure of your ability to chop branches independently.
Trim any dead branches in advance of a storm. It is possible to suffer an electric shock if the twigs come into contact with hydroelectric lines.
Identify Access Points That are Vulnerable to Attack
The roof, windows, doors, and garage are all vulnerable points in a home. Windstorms can do considerable damage to trees that aren’t in good shape. In severe winds, roofs are more susceptible. Get any needed repairs done as soon as possible in your home’s weak places. Secure all doors and windows before a storm arrives by shutting them tightly and locking them.
The Final Word
It may seem that winds don’t pose a severe threat, and you may not do anything to protect your property, but winds pose grave threats to your property. It is vital to know about the damage winds can cause because learning about the damage that winds cause is the first step toward finding ways to protect your property.