How to Protect Your Home From Siding Damage From Wind
Wind and storm damage can cause visible cracks and holes in your siding. Crosswinds, which are very high in velocity, can also blow hail and debris directly into the siding. Storm damage can also cause hidden damage toward the peaks of your home. Luckily, there are ways to repair this damage.
Indirect damage
If you’ve recently suffered wind damage to your siding, it’s best to first check with your homeowner’s insurance company to determine whether you’ll be covered. Typically, wind damage to siding is covered, but some policies exclude storm damage altogether. In addition, you may have to pay a deductible. Depending on your policy, this deductible may be higher than the actual cost of replacing the siding.
When a storm hits, a lot of debris will be thrown against your home, including your siding. The dirt blown at high speeds against the siding is called sandblasting damage, and it can detract from the appearance of your siding. Other objects can be blown against your siding, such as tree branches, which can puncture it when they impact.
Direct damage
The wind can cause major damage to your siding. It can rip off siding pieces and even damage the framing or underlayment beneath it. If this occurs, it’s important to protect the siding right away. Fortunately, there are many different methods to prevent damage from occurring to your siding.
First, you should consider your insurance policy. While insurance companies may not pay for direct damage to your siding, they will most likely cover the cost of replacing all four sides of your siding. Make sure your policy covers this, because in some cases, your insurance company may only cover the damage caused by the wind.
Strong winds and hail can severely damage your siding. Wind driven hail can also cause chips in siding and paint damage. In order to protect your siding, contact a company such as Water Damage Restore Pro for help. Depending on the severity of the wind damage, you may have to replace the siding.
Water damage
Wind can cause a great deal of damage to your home’s exterior, including blown shingles and siding. High winds and snow can also cause significant damage to your home’s siding and gutters. Wind can also cause interior water damage, such as pipe leaks and toilet overflows. To avoid this type of damage, keep up with basic maintenance on your home. Caulk windows, clean gutters, and trim tree limbs. You should also consider insulating your pipes to prevent the freezing of water.
While hail can cause major damage to your siding, some insurers are reluctant to cover this type of damage. If you’ve noticed any damage to your siding during a storm, file for damage right away. If you don’t, the damage may get worse. In some cases, hail damage can expand already-existing cracks, and insurers may question your claim.
Moisture damage
While metal siding is known for its durability, it is not impervious to the damaging effects of wind and moisture. If the fasteners are not covered, the metal panels can absorb water and lead to condensation. Therefore, it is important to use a stainless steel or coated fastener to avoid this problem.
Professional home inspectors can identify any cladding issues and recommend a solution. They can also detect small pests that may be causing severe damage to the siding. These include woodpeckers and termites. These animals are known to burrow and create holes in the siding. Consequently, moisture can accumulate and lead to rot and mold.
If you notice any signs of damage, contact Water Damage Restore Pro for immediate repair. In some cases, you may have to replace siding. Although these repairs can be costly, they can be mitigated by regular maintenance. By regularly inspecting your siding, you can ensure it is in top shape and protect your home from future issues.
Insurance coverage
Insurance coverage for siding damage from wind is crucial for protecting your home’s exterior. Siding is not only an important structural component of your home, but it also establishes a pleasing aesthetic and protects the wood structure inside. If your siding was damaged during a storm, your insurance company should provide replacement siding. However, siding varieties come and go quickly, and you may not be able to find the exact same style in stock. In this case, your insurance company will work with you to find a replacement siding that will be aesthetically and functionally acceptable.
To make sure that you’ll get the most out of your insurance coverage for siding damage from wind and hail, you should check the policy deductible. If your home insurance company offers only partial siding replacement, you may want to consider repairing the damage yourself. Otherwise, the insurance company might reject your claim.