How can I prevent wind damage?
No need to feel shaken by the prospect of strong winds – there are a number of ways you can prepare your home and stay safe during gale force winds.
1 Check your roof
One of the biggest risks during gale force winds is that your roof tiles could shift or blow away completely. Before the storm, have a good look at your roof and assess its current condition. If some tiles are already loose, it’s a good idea to have them repaired and have any other necessary roof maintenance completed.
2 Trim your trees
Heavy winds can cause branches and even entire trees to fall, damaging your home. Before the winds get too strong, make sure that your trees are free from any loose branches. If they show any signs of this, attend to them as soon as possible by having them pruned.
3 Secure your windows
Make sure that your windows can withstand high winds. If they’re double glazed and up to the most current building standards, you should be just fine in this regard, but if they’re older, you may want to look into having your windows reinforced.
4 Park your car somewhere safe
As we’ve discussed, wind storms can cause trees and roof tiles to land in places they might not otherwise. Lest one of those places be your car, park it somewhere secure. If you can park it in your garage (and that structure is in good repair), that will generally be your best bet.
5 Clear your garden
If you have any furniture or large items (think trampolines, greenhouses, or swing sets) in your garden, it’s a good idea to store these somewhere safe or disassemble them until the storm passes. This will keep them from getting damaged (or ending up in the neighbour’s garden!) during the storm.
