What to do After Storm Damage Storm damage does not always happen after a tornado or hurricane. Any strong thunderstorm can cause damage to your home. After you experience storm damage, you may feel overwhelmed and not really sure how to go about fixing the damage. The good thing is that storm damage is a common thing, and many people go through it. For this reason, it’s relatively easy to establish a plan for what to do after storm damage occurs. Stay Safe The first thing you want to do is to stay safe while inspecting your home for storm damage. When you examine your home you want to remember the following guidelines: Stay at least 10 feet away from downed power. Power lines could still have electricity flowing through them even if they are down. You should also contact your utility company. Look out for hazards such as broken glass, nails sticking out, and broken wood. If you are inspecting at night, use a flashlight instead of a candle to reduce the risk of fire or explosion due to a gas line. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, be sure to turn off your gas line and call your gas company. You will also need to leave your house until you have gotten the okay to come back in. Look for and Asses Damage When you start to look for damage, the roof is the best place to start. Your roof is the most susceptible to damage. If you choose to inspect your roof yourself, make sure you use the correct safety procedures. A tree limb or other heavy debris can make the structure of your roof weak. When assessing your roof, you should look for things like holes, split seams, missing shingles, and dents on gutters. After you have inspected your roof for damage, you will want to move on to windows and doors. Your windows and doors are most affected by strong winds. When inspecting your windows and doors look for cracks, holes, broken frames, and broken glass. Finally, you should inspect the siding, bricks, and other exterior surfaces of your home. As well as any outdoor appliances such as air conditioners. Contact Your Insurance Once you know you have storm damage, you should call your insurance company. Your insurance company will work with you to file a claim and let you know what the next steps are. In addition to helping you file a claim, your insurance company will give you a list of providers that are in their network. Select a Contractor Once you have inspected your home safely and contacted your insurance provider, it is time to find the right contractor. The first thing you want to do when selecting a contractor is make sure your insurance will cover that contractor. After you have chosen a contractor, you will want to make they do a thorough inspection of your home and give you an estimate. Once you have the okay from your insurance company work can begin. Storm damage seems impossible to prevent, especially during an active springtime. You don’t have to face damage to your property alone. These steps will help you begin the process of restoration. If you have experienced storm damage, don’t wait. The longer you let damages sit, the worse they become. Call the experts at Get Restoration Experts at 1-877-721-8812.
The Top Three Places to Check for Storm Damage Photo by Duncan Maloney https://unsplash.com/photos/dg5KvcVv7tU Storms are a part of nature that will never change, and with them comes the potential for storm damage. In the summer, heavy rain and hurricanes can be a threat to your property. In the winter, snow and ice can cause hazards that might put your safety in jeopardy. No matter what type of storm is on the horizon, water leaking and property damage is something you should check for immediately following every storm. The hazards of storm damage don’t stop with your property and the structures around you. Rain and storm water can carry contaminants that are hazardous to your health. Just think about all the places that water traveled before it entered your home. It can carry bacteria from sewer lines and storm drains or contaminants from oil, grease, fertilizer, and pesticides. It can cause structural damage to your home and be a breeding ground for hazardous microorganisms like mold. Checking for Storm Damage Your home serves as a shelter to protect you from the storm. Therefore, after the storm, you need to protect your home from the potential hazards that can be created from storm damage. Even if there is no visible sign of damage once the storm has subsided, it is important to take check around to be sure. If you identify storm damage early, you can make a repair and avoid the risk of losing the window of opportunity for an insurance claim. The top three places to check for storm damage are the exterior of your home, the interior of your home, and your roof. Storm Damage to the Roof The roof is the most vulnerable to damage because there are many things that can impact it. High winds, fallen tree branches, and rainwater can all create storm damage to your roof that can be dangerous. After a storm, when it is safe, take some time to go out and inspect your roof. Look for holes in the roof, split seams, missing shingles, or areas that appear to have water damage. Storm Damage to the Exterior Many homeowners report that they noticed storm damage to the exterior of their home when it was too late to file an insurance claim. Take some time to walk around your house and look for cracks, chips, or dents in the siding. Be sure you are doing this when there is enough light to notice the damage. Look for holes in stucco or damage to brick exteriors. Detached or damaged trim and gutters are more noticeable when you are checking for storm damage. And, pay attention to damaged windows and window casings. Storm Damage to the Interior Storm damage to the interior of your home is more apparent. You might easily notice water stains on the walls or floors, especially on ground floors. But take some extra time to pay careful attention to this type of damage. Water damage can be a hazard to the structure of your home and can damage your health when mold and mildew develop. Wet insulation, water seepage in the attic, and cracked skylights are also obvious signs of storm damage. And, like with the exterior, check your windows. Look for shattered glass, broken window panes, or damaged frames. Heavy rains, strong winds, and destructive hail can create hazardous storm damage to your property. Don’t let the damage affect your family and your home. Check for storm damage and call a professional restoration expert to help solve the problem.