With hurricane season and summer thunderstorms once again approaching, high wind speeds are on Carolina homeowners’ minds. Whether you’ve dealt with North Carolina and South Carolina storms for years or you’re a recent transplant to this region of the Southeast, it’s important to understand how strong winds can damage your home and your property.
As you read this brief, informative guide, you’ll learn when you should be concerned by the Carolina forecast and what you can do to reduce the likelihood of wind damage at home. Remember, this is not an exhaustive list of tips and you may have other steps you already take to protect your residence. You should absolutely continue doing anything else you’ve found effective!
When should high wind speeds cause worry?
Sometimes, wind speeds that might feel strong to you while you’re outside walking on the beach, for example, might not actually be high enough to damage your North Carolina or South Carolina home. The National Weather Service indicates that wind speeds of 30 MPH or higher can cause property damage. Gusts of 45 MPH should also be cause for concern.
Storms in both of the Carolinas can regularly reach 30 MPH, with hurricane-force winds on the coast reaching over 100 miles per hour in some cases. It is important to note that the tips here are primarily for standard thunderstorms. While they can still play a role in protecting your house from hurricane damage, true hurricane preparedness requires additional steps.
What can I do to get my house ready?
The following tips will help you get your home as ready as possible for the next Carolina wind storm or thunderstorm you face. If you do all of these things, you can rest assured that you have taken great strides toward keeping your property and your family safe from harm.
- Have a roof inspection – Scheduling an annual spring roof inspection is a good way to avoid wind damage during strong summer storms. This is especially important if you live in an area that gets snow in the winter; the weight of snow piles can lead to roof damage. Having any problems repaired before the summer storm season is crucial.
- Look at windows and doors – When high winds come, windows and doors can be blown out of their frames. There are numerous things you can do to prevent this from happening, including investing in storm shutters. The easiest thing, however, especially if you don’t live in a hurricane zone, is to simply make sure all of your windows and doors are secure. If you notice any issues or gaps between a glass pane and window frame or door frame, call a professional for an inspection.
- Prep the pool area – Many Carolina homes have pools. During wind storms, pool areas can be ravaged, ultimately leading to a big mess. There are a few things you can do to prevent this. First, use your pool cover; make sure you get it on before the storm hits! Furthermore, it might be wise to turn off your pool pump and store it. You should, however, check your owner’s manual for instructions regarding your specific model.
If you follow these tips, you should be well on your way to having a stress-free summer storm season! Remember, as you long as you and your family properly prepare, Carolina storms don’t have to wreak havoc on your property.