Facts About Wind Damage | Colorado Western Construction

4 Facts About Wind and Damage to Your Home

No one thinks of Colorado as a hurricane-prone destination. However, no one bothered to tell the hurricane-force winds to stay away. In January 2017 and April 2018, high winds wreaked havoc in areas including Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Denver.

Winds in these two events reached 80- to 100-mile-per-hour speeds and caused extensive damage to roofs, siding, and other structural elements of homes. Any house in the state of Colorado can be hit by similar wind conditions, and you'll need to make related repairs. Here are four things you should know about wind and home damage.

1. Wind Is Caused by Atmospheric Pressure Changes

Wind is a result of forces from atmospheric pressure. In the atmosphere, high-pressure air naturally wants to move into an area with low-pressure air. As the high-pressure air pushes into the low-pressure air, wind is created.

The high winds experienced in Colorado in April 2018 were the result of a high-pressure cold front racing across the state. As the front encountered low pressure air, the resulting atmospheric-pressure changes created hurricane-force winds from the Front Range to the prairies.

2. Wind Goes by Many Names

Wind is a constant for the farmer, sailor, and meteorologist, so it's only natural that wind has been called by many names over the years. There are both scientific names and nicknames to differentiate the types and locations of specific types of winds.

In scientific terms, much of the damage in Colorado is done by straight-line winds. These are winds that aren't associated with rotational storms like hurricanes or tornadoes.

A downdraft is the scientific word for a column of air that sinks to the ground fast. The sinking air can lead to a straight-line downburst if the sinking happens quickly.

The two basic types of downbursts are:

• Macroburst — downburst larger than two-and-a-half miles across
  
• Microburst — downburst that is less than two-and-a-half miles in area.
  

Both types of downbursts flatten trees and structures similar to the way tornadoes level these features. Microbursts can be short-lived storms but pack winds at over 100 miles per hour.

The following are some fun non-scientific names that people have given to various winds:

• Barber
  
• Brickfielder
• Bullseye squall
• Chubasco
• Doctor
• Haboob
• Maestro
• Norther
• White squall
• Willy-willy

The Rocky Mountain region experiences the Chinook, which is a nickname for a type of Föhn wind. Föhn winds can happen suddenly when stable air encounters a mountain range. Dry, warm gusts begin blowing on the lower slopes of the lee side of the mountain barrier. The air temperature rises rapidly. Föhn winds can lead to avalanches and wildfires in vulnerable areas.

3. Wind Damage to Homes Can Be Subtle

If your home has been battered by high winds, the damage may not be obvious. Some wind damage doesn't show itself until some time has passed.

Damaged shingles may look fine from the street, but soon a leak develops in your attic. Small, barely noticeable projectiles may have pierced your roof waterproofing or the siding on your home. The holes allow moisture and pests to invade your space.

Wind can also cause the roof decking to lift away from the truss framing ever so slightly. This lift can make roof fasteners like screws and nails come loose from the framing. The next high wind may be all it takes to lift your roof decking completely away from the home.

The damage your home sustains will depend on several factors. These include:

• Direction of high winds
  
• Type of home construction
  
• Materials used for roof and siding
  
• Age of home
  

When you have your home assessed for damaged by storm-repair professionals, they will look beneath the surface to find the hidden damage. They can also help you strengthen your roofing and siding materials to better hold their own against future high winds.

4. Wind Damage Is Often Covered by Insurance

After a wind event damages your home, check your homeowners policy to learn the details about your coverage. Most policies include reimbursement for roof and siding repairs due to wind damage. Other repairs may be covered if they're related to the wind damage.

Have wind-related repairs made to your home as soon as possible. Even a tiny hole in the roof can lead to disaster. If the hole causes a leak in the attic, the attic floor may rot. Then, the leak enters a bedroom or living room and destroys furnishings and flooring.

Before you know it, a seemingly minor issue requires a major renovation. Save yourself the trouble and call for a roof and siding inspection as soon as you can when you suspect wind damage.

Contact the restoration experts at Colorado Western Construction today and schedule your home's wind-damage assessment. We work with your insurance company and offer financing to make your home safe and sound again in the Greater Denver, Colorado region.