5 Basic Guidelines to Help Homeowners Avoid Wind Damage

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Your house may be damaged by violent storms at any time of the year. The destruction caused may vary from mild to very serious. Much of the damage is inflicted by high wind. As a result, your property and family may be placed in danger. The following simple steps, along with some follow through can help greatly diminish damage to your house and property.

Roofs are a very vulnerable part of any home. It is particularly important to check the connection between the roof and the walls. That connection must be sturdy enough to defend against the uplifting effect inflicted by high winds. From within the attic check to make sure the nails penetrate the rafters or trusses. If your area is known for hurricanes or tornados, you might consider adding hurricane straps if they have not been previously installed. Building codes in some areas now require them. These galvanized metal straps make sure that the roof and the walls have a solid connection. Also inspect the roof sheathing and re-nail as needed.

Windows must be secured to reduce the hazard brought on airborne debris and changes in air pressure. Consider covering glass with either permanent storm shutters or sheets of plywood. In the event of a storm, permanent shutters are handy as they can be quickly and easily closed to protect the windows. Sheets of plywood are less expensive but less convenient as well. Don't forget to secure any French doors, glass sliding doors, and skylights. Check to ensure your outside doord have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock. Changes in air pressure and flying debris are best resisted by solid wood doors or metal doors.

Most ofThe majority of tree damage by high velocity wind is avoidable. Intact trees cannot cause damage to your home. Pick out species of trees unaffected by high winds. Often indigenous trees are good choices. Plant your trees properly, that is a little above the grade. Plant them a ways away from your home. That way they cannot inflict damage on the house even if they fall. Correct pruning techniques can seriously diminish possible wind damage. Hire a professional arborist for best results. Circling roots, decay, wounds, structural issues and compact soil can lead to increased wind damage.

Garage doors (particularly two-car) are also susceptible to being damaged by high velocity winds. When wind finds a way into a garage the result can be serious and expensive damage to the rest of the building. If you are in the process of constructing or remodeling a home, check into garage doors built to withstand high winds. Existing garage doors can be toughened with additional braces and by strengthening the glider wheel tracks. Kits are often available to add extra strength.

Common objects such as outdoor chairs, barbecue grills, trash cans and toys can turn out to be lethal in the high winds produced by powerful storms, twisters or hurricanes. store everything that could become airborne in high winds. Outdoor furnishings and barbecue grills can be protected by bolting them to a deck or patio or by securing them to ground anchors with cables or chains. Outbuildings such as storage sheds ought to be secured to a permanent foundation. If there is no permanent foundation, straps and ground anchors like those in the manufactured home industry should be used.

High velocity winds caused by twisters, hurricanes, and thunderstorms can produce all types of destruction. Once high winds arrive, there often is little that can be done to prevent damage.
You can take preventative steps nevertheless to protect your family and property against high wind damage. Professionals may be needed for some of the steps listed above, but skilled do-it-yourselfers can carry out the rest. Be sure to check local building codes before making structural changes to your home.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Florida Engineering Solutions has the expertise to design commercial buildings that reduce the risk of wind damage. They can also evaluate high wind damage, prepare engineered drawings and help get it repaired quickly.

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