Can Wind Seriously Damage My Home?
Yes, it most certainly can! A mere two weeks ago, the Front Range weathered winds of up to 86 mph that led to semis tipping, trees breaking, power outages, and debris flying everywhere causing damage. Meteorologists explained that, while seemingly out of nowhere, the wind was caused by a strong low-pressure system that came down from Wyoming. Social media was flooded with videos and photos of the damage the high-force winds were causing – one onlooker even captured a piece of roofing that blew right off of a building, completely covering a vehicle. The Denver Post conducted some impressive and helpful coverage of wind damage in Denver as well.
Roofing Contractors In Denver Explain Wind Damage
Damaging winds are considered any winds that exceed 50-60mph. According to the NSSL, damage from wind accounts for at least 50 percent of all severe weather-related damage incidents in the continental US, even exceeding the number of damage reports from tornadoes. Our roofing contractors in Denver have become intimately familiar with the different types of damaging wind and the impact they can have on your property.
Damaging wind falls into a few different categories, including straight-line winds, downdrafts, macrobursts, microbursts, and more. As local meteorologists explained to our roofing contractors in Denver, the recent wind storm was caused by a downdraft. The most common kind of damaging wind, however, are straight-line winds, which accompany thunderstorms with no rotation.
Meteorologists have worked to develop highly accurate algorithms to detect these dangerous winds before they cause severe damage, but sometimes, it can't be avoided.
In those cases, these tips from our roofing contractors in Denver can help you minimize the effect severe wind has on your property.
Long-Term Wind Damage Prevention
Some of the solutions our roofing contractors in Denver recommend to prevent wind damage cannot be done overnight.
- Removing/Trimming Trees – Any large trees that can cause damage to your home if blown over should be trimmed or removed entirely. In an ideal world, your trees sit as far from your home as it is tall when fully grown, but that is not always the case. You also want to consider your nearby utility lines that may be damaged by a falling or broken tree.
- Secure Shingles – Our roofing contractors in Denver can perform a free damage assessment to identify any loose or compromised shingles that may lead to further damage in the event of a wind storm. There should be a minimum of six nails or staples that attach each shingle to your roofing structure.
- Window And Door Coverings – You may also want to have our roofing contractors in Denver take a look at your windows and doors. If necessary, you can install storm shutters to protect the glass from breaking.
Short-Term Wind Damage Prevention
When you see signs of thunderstorms or high-force winds, there are some additional things you can do to prevent serious damage to your property. Our roofing contractors in Denver recommend:
- Anchoring loose items in or around your property, including outdoor furniture, garbage bins, and potted plants
- Keeping windows and doors closed with interior drapes drawn
- Ensure that you have extra batteries and/or a backup generator in case of a power outage
All of these things can help prevent your property from experiencing severe damage if high winds come through. If you're not sure your home is ready to take on storm season, contact the leading roofing contractors in Denver today.