In places like Amarillo, where wind storms (and even tornados) are common and severe, it’s particularly important to do everything possible to protect your home from preventable storm and hail damage. You can’t control the weather, but you can toughen up your exterior so the next storm does less damage or none at all.
1. Have Your Roofing Inspected
As roofs age, it’s inevitable that wind, rain, snow, and hail damage will become its enemies and gradually work to produce roofing weaknesses. You should consider having an annual roof inspection done. This will help to ensure loose shingles, cracked caulk and roof sealants, out of place flashing, and other issues are corrected early.
A major inspection of your roof should be done every 5 to 10 years, as well. Many times, roof damage, leaks, and expensive interior damage could have been largely prevented by making smaller repairs months or years earlier.
2. Install Tougher Siding
A higher-grade vinyl or even steel siding will stand up much better in the midst of a fierce wind storm. Torn off siding panels and panels that have been cracked, split, or mangled are often the ugly sights you see in the aftermath of a major storm.
Steel siding is going to stand the test of almost any storm. And even using denser, tougher vinyl may prevent or reduce damage in moderate to mild level wind storms.
3. Install Impact-Resistant Windows
Broken glass is both dangerous and expensive, and it lets in the wind and rain, resulting in further damage to your home. You can expect that fast-moving objects smacking your exterior windows are a likely occurrence during a storm. Therefore, it only makes sense to invest in impact-rated windows.
Older windows tend to be more prone to leakage during a sideways rain. They are also more likely to crack or break even from relatively low air pressure changes and impacts. Modern windows can survive unscathed and continue to protect your family and your home’s interior where outdated windows would fail.
4. Remove All Dangers From Trees
In the North Texas Panhandle, we value every tree we can get on our property, but location, location, location! If tree branches lurch over your roof or near to your building’s exterior walls, that’s asking for storm damage. Better to trim those branches back.
Deadwood trees should be completely removed because they can fall completely down or get picked up by savage winds. They may end up in your window or smashed half inside your roof in a big storm if not cut down and removed before one hits.
5. Secure Loose Items Outside
When you know a storm is on the way, one of the best ways to prevent damage to your home’s exterior is to secure or put in temporary storage all objects high winds might be apt to slam against your house.
Outdoor chairs, picnic tables, grills, and yard decorations should be stored in the garage or in a shed. Toys and “junk” lying around in the yard needs to be picked up. Anything that can’t be moved should be tied or chained down if at all possible.
6. Correct Drainage Problems
Water damage to a home during a sudden downpour is often due to improper drainage. Gutters and downspouts need to be cleaned. A clogged up gutter system will cause water to back up under the shingles on your roof’s eave, which could lead to a leak. You also need to ensure water doesn’t sit by or pour past your home’s foundation.
For new windows and siding needs, contact Double J Siding & Windows in Amarillo, TX.
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