The short answer
Common Wind Damage Shortcuts and Risks
A typical wind repair shortcut involves using duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover a broken window. This might keep rain out for a few hours, but it won't hold against strong winds. The seal often fails, letting water pour in and damage floors, walls, and belongings. This turns a simple window replacement into a major water damage restoration project.
Another common tactic is using towels or rags to block water from a leaky roof or a door frame with a gap. While this can absorb some water, it doesn't stop the flow. The soaked materials hold moisture against wood and drywall, promoting rot and mold growth. The underlying structural damage from the wind remains unaddressed.
How Shortcuts Lead to Water Damage
Wind damage often creates openings that let water into your home. A shortcut fix might appear to stop the leak, but water can find another path. It can travel behind walls or under flooring, spreading damage far from the original entry point. This hidden moisture requires extensive detection and drying by the pros to prevent mold.
Water that seeps in can ruin insulation, warp wood framing, and cause electrical hazards. Climate does not prevent this indoor damage. The damp environment behind a wall is ideal for mold, which can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. A proper, permanent seal is the only reliable solution.
When to Call for Professional Help
You should contact local water damage pros whenever wind has compromised your home's weather barrier. If water is entering, or if the damage is structural, a temporary fix is not sufficient. The pros have the tools and materials to make secure, lasting repairs that protect your home from further weather and water intrusion. This stops the damage from expanding.
Delaying a professional repair often increases the final cost. What begins as a few damaged shingles can lead to a rotted roof deck and a ceiling collapse from water weight. A warped door frame can allow more wind and water in, damaging floors and drywall. Acting quickly to get a proper repair saves money and prevents secondary damage that shortcuts ignore.
- A broken window or a large hole in your siding or roof.
- Missing or damaged shingles that expose the roof deck underneath.
- A door or garage door that was forced open and no longer seals.
- Visible cracks or gaps in your home's exterior walls or foundation.
- Water actively entering your home during or after a wind storm.
- Any doubt about the safety or completeness of your temporary repair.
Safe Temporary Measures to Take
If you must take action before the pros can start, focus on safety and damage mitigation. Turn off the electricity to affected areas if it's safe to do so, especially if water is near outlets or fixtures. Move furniture, rugs, and electronics away from the water entry point. Use a bucket to catch dripping water from a ceiling leak.
For a broken window, you can carefully board it up from the outside with plywood if conditions are safe. Never risk injury going onto a wet or steep roof. Your goal is to make the situation less dangerous and reduce immediate water contact, not to create a perfect seal. Document the damage with photos for your insurance company before you move anything.
The Cost of Skipping Proper Repairs
The cost of a proper wind damage repair depends on the extent of the damage, materials needed, and labor. A full roof repair often costs more than patching a single window. However, the cost of fixing the subsequent water damage from a failed shortcut is typically much higher. This includes drying, mold remediation, and replacing ruined drywall, flooring, and insulation.
Insurance may help with sudden, accidental wind damage. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. A claim might cover the initial wind damage, but if the insurer finds that subsequent water damage resulted from negligence or a poor temporary repair, that portion could be denied. Making safe, documented temporary fixes and then getting a professional, permanent repair is the wise course of action.
Water damage does not wait
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Call Now (208) 537-2633Frequently asked questions
Can I just caulk a crack in my siding after a storm?
Caulk is a sealant, not a structural repair. If the crack resulted from wind stressing the siding, the underlying issue remains. Water can still get behind the siding. A pro should assess if the siding needs to be re-secured or replaced to prevent future leaks and hidden damage.
Will my homeowners insurance cover wind damage repairs?
Most standard policies cover sudden wind damage, like a tree branch breaking a window. However, they often exclude damage from lack of maintenance. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Always report damage promptly and document it with photos before making any temporary repairs.
How long can I leave a tarp on my roof?
A professionally installed roof tarp is a temporary emergency cover, not a permanent fix. It can degrade in sunlight and weather within weeks. Leaving it for months risks new leaks. Schedule a permanent roof repair or replacement as soon as possible to protect the structure of your home.