Risks of Wind Damage to Your Home

We typically associate exterior home damage with in-climate weather like rain, snow, or a tropical storm. Aside from making sure your doors and windows are closed or the garbage can isn’t rolling down the street, you may not consider the threat of wind to your home. Unless accompanied by rain or snow, homeowners may ignore the dangers of wind damage, from falling tree branches to missing shingles.

Here are some important things to keep in mind about potential wind damage during tropical storms, hurricanes, blizzards, and other high-wind weather events.

Wind Speed Risks to Homes

Wind speed is a telling factor when assessing the risk or possibility of damage to your home. Here are some types of damage your home may experience depending on wind speed.

• Once winds reach anywhere from 40 to 50 miles per hour (mph), you can expect to see twigs or branches break off trees. If any shingles are already damaged or lifting, they may be torn off.
• Winds reaching 60 to 70 mph can uproot trees and cause significant roof damage.
• Tropical storm and hurricane-force winds that clock in above the 70 mph mark have the power to destroy roofs and topple power lines.

Of course, any wind speed of 90 mph or above is extremely dangerous for you and your home. For instance, Category 2 hurricane wind speeds range from 96 to 110 mph. However, even tropical storm winds, ranging from 39 to 73 mph, can result in plenty of property damage.

Common Wind Damages to Homes

High wind speeds can result in damage to your home’s landscaping and structural integrity. Landscaping damage can range from torn plants and shrubs to busted branches and uprooted trees. Structural damage can include shattered windows, missing shingles, or in a worst-case scenario, a collapsed roof.

Downed trees and broken branches are among the most concerning causes of structural damage during a windstorm. Homeowners with trees on or around their property should remove or cut back branches that hang over the roof or power lines. If you see any dead or dying trees, have them safely removed.

Wind damage can also pull away roof shingles and leave your home vulnerable. If you see any loose or lifting shingles, replace them and secure the surrounding shingles as soon as possible. If your roof sustains damage during a windstorm, cover the affected area with a tarp to prevent further damage until the roof can be repaired.

Windows can also break during a windstorm from projectiles, such as snapped tree branches or various outdoor objects that were not secured. The glass on a swinging door may break, or even worse, the door itself can dent or tear your vinyl siding. Make sure all windows and doors are shut securely during a windy day or windstorm.

Here at Advance Inc. we work tirelessly to provide our coastal customers and communities with quality services and reliable resources to protect homes against the elements. Be sure to inspect your home and repair any noticeable damage before the next high-wind weather event.

Contact us today to speak to a representative, or browse our website to learn more about our services. We are happy to answer any of your questions.