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Protecting Your Home from Spring Windstorms
ARA
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(ARA) - One minute the skies are clear and blue, then the clouds roll in and before you know it, you're in the middle of a spring windstorm. It's the unpredictability of spring windstorms that make them so scary - and so potentially damaging. We expect storms during the winter, but as the days get longer and the air warmer, we forget that some of the most severe weather occurs during the spring when warm air begins to invade from lower latitudes while cold air is still pushing in from polar regions.
The roof over your head is your home's critical shield of protection from high winds and rain, and it's often the first to be damaged during a windy storm. But with a few simple modifications and defensive strategies, homeowners can prepare their most valuable asset to stand up against even the harshest elements.
Start with the roof, a home's first line of defense in protection from wind.
During a storm, wind hits the top of the roof and then travels down the exterior walls to the foundation. If the roof components can't withstand the wind's force, damage can occur all the way to the foundation. Quality roofing products can help prevent the heartache of thousands of dollars worth of damage. Some insurance providers even offer a reduction in residential insurance premiums for clients using high-wind rated roofing products.
Owens Corning Duration Series Shingles are one product that qualifies for such savings. These shingles feature a patented sealant called Tru-Bond that creates a tight grip between the nailing strip and the shingle to insure a powerful bond that withstands winds up to 110 mph -- up to 130 mph for Duration Premium shingles.
According to Bert Elliott, Owens Corning roofing product leader, "The amount of money you will spend on a premium shingle line will outweigh the damages you would face given a high-wind event. Having that kind of peace of mind is more than worth it in the long run."
With solid shingles in place, now look to the rest of the house to make sure it's secure. Using anchoring bolts with heavy-gauge, square bolt washers to connect the floor construction to the foundation, for example, is a small task that helps ensure added coverage. It is also important to ensure that metal connectors on roof trusses or rafters and walls are connected properly.
And don't overlook the garage. Securing garage doors with the correct bracing -- single wide garage doors with a horizontal brace or for garage door panels, either vertical or horizontal bracing -- provides much needed protection for your garage.
Outside your home, survey the landscaping. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends examining trees within close proximity to the house. If trees are diseased or damaged they may have a weak root system and may not be able to withstand a windstorm. Some warning signs include mushrooms growing at the base of the tree, indicating decay, insect infestation, large cracks in the trunk or branches and dead limbs.
Consider the distance from the tree to the house, even in healthy trees. A tree's proximity to the home should be greater than the height of the full-grown tree.
Wind speeds fluctuate and often change directions during a storm, so make sure you are not enabling more damage to occur during the next high wind event. Loose items near the home such as lawn furniture, trash cans and other outdoor objects can wreak havoc, and pose a huge risk of injury, so put them away before a windstorm hits.
There's another bonus to preparing your home for high spring winds. While some wind-retrofit projects are not visible, cleaning up landscaping and installing quality roofing products provide protection for your home while adding to its curb appeal.
"Protecting your home doesn't mean you will have to sacrifice appearance," says Elliott. "Updating the roof can have a tremendous impact on the overall look of your home, while providing superior protection against wind."
A little forethought and a few modifications can help you give you peace of mind to fully enjoy spring's warmer weather without worrying about the damage sudden storms might inflict on your home.
Visit www.owenscorning.com for more information.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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