When the wind picks up violently, there is no point trying to shield your residence by reasoning with Mother Nature. However, there are a few things homeowners can do to minimize potential damages.
A torn-up roof, a flattened gazebo, objects flying in the wind … a storm’s destructive effects can be as diverse as costly. Here’s how to protect your home from high winds.
Remove or Secure Movable Items
Our yards are often littered with objects that can become projectiles during a summer storm. Consider, for example, barbecues, garden chairs, bicycles, garbage containers or some kids’ toys. In addition to the probability that they themselves might be broken when buffeted by the wind, once air born, they could damage other things on your property. Nobody wants to discover a battered shed door, a smashed house window or a torn garden awning once the skies have cleared!
The solutions: before the storm strikes, put away as many of your outdoor belongings as possible (like in the garage or in a garden chest), and tie down everything else firmly.
Park Your Car Away from Potential dangers
To protect your vehicle, park it in the garage or a few metres distance from anything you think represents a potential hazard, such as streetlights which can be blown down and trees that are at risk of splitting and falling during episodes of violent wind.
Lock the Doors and Windows
Go through the house to check that all entrances are properly closed and, ideally, locked. High winds can force doors and windows open, allowing water and debris to come in.
Implement Temporary Solutions
A storm breaks out and you notice that your gazebo is swaying to-and-fro and could crush the brand-new shed. You certainly don’t have time to firmly anchor it to the ground now.
If it is safe to do so, secure the garden structure with ropes, for example, by attaching it to a heavy table or to solid fence posts. Do the same for everything that might be vulnerable to limit the storm’s consequences. You can find a permanent solution for each problem later.
BEFORE STORMS STRIKE
Stay Informed!
An ounce or prevention is worth a pound of cure! The first step is, of course, to keep an eye on the weather conditions in the area where you live. In Quebec, these can vary significantly from one region to the next, and some places are more frequently subject to windstorm than others. That way, you’ll know if you need to do more to protect your property!
To this end, contact your municipality directly. An employee will also be able to let you know if your municipality offers residential renovations programs and permits to weatherproof your home.
Identify Your Residence’s Vulnerabilities
You may believe that you know your home like the back of your hand. And yet, it may contain a few secrets, such as certain hidden weak points. To uncover them and quickly carry out repairs, hire a building inspector who can go through it with a fine-tooth comb and find issues, such as areas that are likely to allow water to leak in.
Renovate to Reinforce
Perhaps your home could benefit from a stronger outer shell. The zone that is most likely to be damaged by high winds is the roof. A well-maintained roof will have a better chance of weathering a storm unscathed. You should likewise make sure that the roof structure in adequately attached to the building.
Other than the roof, windows, glass patio doors and garages doors are equally vulnerable. Check their condition and fortify as needed with the help of a licenced contractor. Finally, loose fence planks must be nailed back into place.
Keep an Eye on Your Trees
The largest branches of mature trees can seriously damage nearby buildings: cut down any that could eventually become a safety hazard. And don’t leave them on the ground: they can be dangerous if pushed around by the wind.
This should reduce the likelihood of your property coming to harm during the next summer storm! As a final tip, for extra piece of mind make sure your home insurance policy includes wind damage coverage, especially if you have already experienced violent and destructive windstorms. Good luck!