Skip to main content

Protect Against Windstorms

As fall approaches, take some time to reduce your exposure to windstorm losses by focusing your efforts on your roof and rain gutters, windows, entry doors and garage doors.

Roof and rain gutters

  • Make sure the sheathing on your roof complies with local building codes. In wind-prone areas, many building codes require six nails per shingle rather than four.
  • If your home is in a hurricane-prone area, have your roofer add galvanized steel hurricane clips to connect the rafters to the roof at the top of the house, and the bottom part of the house to a plate that is bolted to the slab. Properly installed clips enable your roof to withstand winds up to 100 miles per hour.
  • Inspect your roof and rain gutters periodically to ensure water flows freely down rainspouts and away from your home.

Windows

  • Install impact-resistant shutters over all large windows and glass doors. They protect your doors and windows from wind-borne objects, plus they can reduce damage caused by sudden pressure changes when a window or door is broken.
  • As an alternative, use impact-resistant windows and patio doors.

Entry doors

  • Purchase solid wood or hollow metal doors for maximum wind resistance.
  • Choose doors with at least three hinges and a dead bolt lock.

Garage doors

  • For a double-wide door, consider purchasing a retrofit kit to reinforce your garage door by installing horizontal and/or vertical bracing onto each panel.
  • For single-wide and double-wide doors, consider installing heavy-duty hinges.

Outside your home

  • Have a tree surgeon inspect your trees periodically and remove dead limbs and branches (or an entire dying tree) before they can endanger your home.
  • Make sure all outdoor items not bolted down (patio furniture, trash cans, etc.) are secured so they won’t become projectiles that do damage to your home.

For more information on how to protect your home, please call E. R. Munro and Company at 877-376-8676.