The Impacts Damaging Winds Can Have on Your Property

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Severe storms bring a variety of concerns, with one being the threat of damaging winds. These winds can come with little to no notice and can be problematic due to long-term structural impacts.

Understanding Damaging Winds

Usually one thinks of tornadoes and hurricanes when they think of damaging winds. However, those are not the only times when they may come into play.

Damaging winds are considered those with wind speeds exceeding 50–60 mph and can be caused by a strong thunderstorm. The term “straight-line” winds is used when differentiating the damage from tornadoes.

Straight-line winds can cause other objects to become projectiles, leading to additional damage. Windows and roofs can take a devastating blow, and if it’s extensive enough, can result in water damage to the home as the outside elements come indoors through damaged windows and roofs.

Anyone living in a thunderstorm-prone area can be at risk from damaging winds, but some structures are more at risk than others. Mobile homes, even when anchored, can sustain extensive damage in wind gusts over 80 mph.

Tips to Help Protect Your Property From Wind Damage

Some ways you can keep your property from sustaining damage from these damaging winds are listed below. Keep the “Two R’s” in mind: reinforce and remove.

• Have your garage door professionally reinforced.

• Remove or anchor loose furniture and other items such as trash cans and grills on your property that could be tossed by the wind and become projectiles.

• Have large or dying trees and branches that could fall on your home be removed by a professional.

Not all high wind situations come with advanced warning. But by following some of the above precautions, you can be ready “just in case.”

Also, if you are building a new home or renovating an older home, be sure the windows, walls and doors are up to code for the weather in your area.

If you ever experience this kind of loss to your home due to damaging winds and resulting water damage, the highly trained specialists at SERVPRO® of Garden Grove East/Anaheim Central are always here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your home.