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Tips for Protecting Your Home From Wind Damage | SERVPRO® of San Gabriel
8/30/2019 (Permalink)
Many concerns arise with severe storms, including the threat of damaging winds. These winds, which can occur without warning, can cause long-term structural impacts.
Tornadoes and hurricanes are not the only storms to cause damaging winds. Basically, damaging winds are considered those with wind speeds exceeding 50–60 mph and can be brought on by a strong thunderstorm.
You will often hear these damaging winds referred to as “straight-line” winds, which differentiates them from the damage caused by winds from tornadoes.
Damage from these winds can be destructive, sometimes causing loose objects to become projectiles. Windows and the roof can bear the brunt of this damage, and if extensive damage occurs, it can also result in water damage to the home as the outside elements come indoors through damaged windows and roofs.
Living in a thunderstorm-prone area can put you at risk from damaging winds. Some structures are especially at risk. For example, mobile homes, even those that are anchored, can sustain damage with wind gusts over 80 mph.
There are a number of ways you can help protect your property from damaging winds, some of which are listed below, but keep the “Two R’s” in mind: reinforce and remove.
Have a professional reinforce your garage door.
Remove or anchor loose objects on your property that could be moved or tossed by the wind, especially trash cans, grills and outdoor furniture.
Have a professional remove large or dying trees and branches that could fall on your home.
Not all high wind circumstances come with advanced warning, as we all know, but some of these action items can be taken care of for that “just in case” logic.
Also, if you are building a new home or renovating an older home, be sure the windows, walls and doors meet the building code for your area.
If your home has been hit by damaging winds and resulting water damage, the highly-trained specialists at SERVPRO® of San Gabriel are here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your home.