So, we’ve all heard the expression “batten the hatches.” (If not, that’s okay.) Basically, it means to tighten and seal all the doors and windows and hunker down because a storm’s coming and it’s a fierce one. Wind damage is a major threat to a house – Mother Nature doesn’t play around, especially when summer rolls in and those storms sweep on through. It’s important to protect your house from the “water” part of storm damage, but you can’t forget about wind. Here are nine tips to protect your home from wind damage.
How to protect your home from wind damage.
1. Know some of the weak spots.
There are a few parts of the house that may need some extra TLC when it comes to protecting your home from high winds. Think about your roof (which often takes a beating), your windows, your doors, and even your garage door. Taking some time to reinforce these areas can help you protect your house.
2. Have your roof inspected.
Like we said, your roof is in the storm’s line of fire. It’s important to have your roof inspected by a trustworthy professional. That way you’ll know your house’s roof is up to code, there are enough nails per shingle, and all that good stuff. Make sure your roof is nice and sturdy.
3. Check out the gables.
It’s also a good idea to make sure the gables of your roof are attached well and that they’re reinforced to the frame walls. (The gables are the parts of the wall that encloses the end of the roof.)
4. Prepare for superwinds.
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or extremely strong winds, you may want to consider getting hurricane clips. These will prevent the winds from tearing the roof right off your house.
5. Make sure your doors are sturdy.
To strengthen the entryways of your home, consider solid wood doors or hollow metal doors. Make sure the doors have at least three hinges and deadbolts. This will help them stand up to the strong wind.
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6. Protect your windows and glass doors.
It’s important to protect any large windows and glass doors with impact-resistant shutters. Glass is, unfortunately, quite fragile, after all, and wind and fragile don’t mix. The shutters can reduce damage caused by the pressure changes if the windows and doors break. They can also protect the glass from windborne objects. The windows and doors of your home need to be protected.
7. Consider installing impact-resistant windows and patio doors.
You can also think about installing impact-resistant windows and patio doors. Otherwise, they could easily be smashed in the windstorm.
8. Support the garage doors with heavy hinges.
You can bolster and strengthen the garage door with the heavy hinges. Also, remember that single-wide garage doors aren’t as susceptible to wind damage as double-wide doors because of their smaller size.
9. Move outdoor furniture inside.
Don’t leave your outdoor furniture and decorations outside – these can get picked up by the wind and tossed into your home. Don’t risk your windows.
Other ways to prepare for storms or wind damage.
On top of readying your house for a major storm, there are a few other practical things you can do to prepare for a storm before it happens.
- Look over your home insurance policy.
It’s very, very important that you read your home insurance policy the entire way through. Make sure everything is up-to-date and that you have the coverage you need. Take care to read over what is and isn’t covered, and if you have questions, reach out to your agent.
- Consider flood insurance.
If you’re worried about flooding, consider getting flood insurance. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, remember, so it’s important to be prepared. You can get flood insurance from the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) through an agent, but keep in mind that policies take 30 days to become effective with few exceptions.
- Practice an evacuation plan.
Yes, it’s terrifying to think that you might have to leave your home, but it’s better to have a plan and be prepared. Create an “evacuation plan” and go over it with your family so you’re ready and everyone knows what’s going to happen if you ever do have to outrun an impending storm.
Your home is a major investment, so it’s important to protect it in the event of a storm. Do what you can to prevent as much damage as you can from wind and flying objects. Your house will thank you.
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