When a storm hits, then naturally, your first concern is going to be making sure that everyone is safe, secure, and kept indoors away from the bad weather. After that, you might start to survey your home and find that, indeed, some damage has been done.
In fact, depending on the severity of the damage, you might be worried that your home is in further danger, still. As such, it’s important to get a move on and to start fixing your home up as soon as you can after that storm. Here, we’re going to look at a few steps you should start taking right now.
Make sure your insurance kicks in
Before you do anything, make sure that you see what your insurance company is able to do. If you have already invested in storm insurance, then you might be able to get many of the costs of your repairs covered. Some homeowners insurance may already cover it, but it’s important to check your policy can call your insurance company up. Before doing that, however, it’s a good idea to take photos of any notable damage as soon as you can and to keep a record so that they don’t miss anything they have to pay out for. Find your policy documents and keep them on hand so you know what help you can get.
Check for water damage and mold ASAP
Although storms can cause much more visible noticeable and dramatic damage, some of the most serious is that which can spread through the materials in your home, destroying them from the inside. That’s the case with water damage caused by leaks, and the mold that can follow. Close up the source of any water damage as soon as possible, and get in touch with Mold Removal and Damage Restoration services to halt the advance through your home. The longer you let mold spread, the more that you will have to throw out and have to repair.
Look around the property
If there’s no clear internal damage, then it’s time to start looking outside, as well. You might find that there is damage to existing fences and walls, and you will want to establish responsibility as to who should cover the costs, especially if you share those fences and walls with any neighbors. Similarly, fallen trees are another common concern after a storm. In many cases, even if it’s a neighbor's tree that falls in your yard, you might be responsible for paying to repair any damage caused by it.
Take a look at the roof
After looking around the garden and the perimeter, the next thing you want to check is the roof. After all, the roof plays a major role in keeping the home safe. Just as existing damage can lead to the spread of water damage and mold, having a roof that isn’t fully secure and complete invites further spreading of mold and dampness every time it rains. Hire a roofing specialist to climb up and take a look, and see if there are any missing or damaged shingles that need to be replaced, or any other damage to consider.
Dealing with power outages
Storms can not only do physical damage to the home, but they can also affect your quality of life by reducing or removing your ability to power the home. There isn’t too much that you can do about this in the immediate aftermath, but in the future, you might want to consider having an emergency generator set up to kick in if your mains go out, so that you’re not left in the dark.
Prepare for next time
If you have storm damage, then you should now be fully aware of the kind of problems it can cause and the costs that it can raise. As such, you should start being more aware of the ways that you can prepare for storms. Clean your garden of clutter and keep your trees trimmed. Check your roof before storm season and, if they’re particularly strong, think about switching out to a metal roof. Ensure that you have the means to protect your home from the worst of the damage next year.
Storms can leave lasting damage, and you want to make sure that you stop the repair costs from rising as much as they potentially can. With the tips above, you can secure the home, halt the progress of damage, and make sure that your property is still safe to live in.
Post a Comment