Here are five tips that will help you protect your home against wind damage.
1. Check Your Roof
The roof is your first line of defense in a storm. It protects you from the wind, rain, hail, and debris. It’s not an easy job, and it can take a toll. That’s why it’s important that you check and perform routine maintenance on your roof. You should look out for missing or damaged shingles especially.
Remember, even a single weak point could lead to total failure. So if you have a damaged roof — even if it seems like minor damage — you should get it repaired right away. Otherwise, you’re risking even greater damage in the future.
2. Clean Your Yard
It’s not fun, but it’s necessary. Your yard is full of trash and debris that can be picked up and tossed by the wind. An errant stone or tree branch may not seem like much, but during a severe storm, they can be thrown around at speeds approaching 100 mph. Something like that can do major damage to a home, no matter how sturdy it is.
3. Reinforce Your Doors And Windows
Hurricane-proof shutters, impact-resistant glass, and sturdy, reinforced doors don’t come cheap, but the cost is well worth it. If you have a garage door, pay special attention there Although they may seem sturdy they are actually the weakest point of your home when it comes to standing up to wind. A particularly bad storm or hurricane can make quick work of your garage door unless it’s reinforced.
4. Keep Your Gutters Clear
The wind isn’t the only threat posed by severe storms. They also bring torrential rain with them. Without gutters, all of this water would likely stagnate around your roof and/or your foundation causing all kinds of issues. But just having gutters isn’t enough, they have to be clean and free of debris. So, make cleaning your gutters a regular thing.
5. Get A Wind Mitigation Inspection
What is a wind mitigation inspection? It’s an inspection that’s entirely focused on your homes ability to withstand wind damage. Your inspector will spend most of their time looking at various areas of your roof. They’ll also look at openings such as your windows, doors, and garage doors to assess just how well they’ll hold up during a windstorm.
The point is to educate homeowners and encourage them to take the potential for wind damage seriously. To further encourage you to take wind mitigation into your own hands, Florida offers “wind mitigation credits” for homes that are equipped with certain safety features. These credits are essentially a discount on your homeowner’s insurance.
Wind mitigation inspections can save you money on your homeowner’s insurance while helping you protect your investment. To find out more about what features qualify for wind mitigation credits or to schedule an inspection of your home please contact us at Super Inspection Pros today.
