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Restoring Your Home After Storm Damage

By
Home Builder

Storm damage is often unpredictable. Even if weather professionals accurately forecast a storm days in advance, it can be very difficult to comprehensively prepare your home. In the case of a very strong storm, homeowners often evacuate, hoping their home is in decent shape when they return.

Storm damage can have varying levels of impact, from obliterating a home entirely to just creating superficial damage. Regardless, restoring your home after storm damage is a process all homeowners should be aware of. No matter your region, natural disasters are a threat. Heed these steps homeowners should take in the aftermath of a storm:

bird on a roof

Make Roof Repair a Priority

Roof damage can get worse over time, with cracks developing and eventually giving way to even more damage. As a result, fixing a roof should be a priority in the aftermath of a storm. Many storms can tear shingles off the roof, so first thing is to check for damage.

Check your attic for any water damage or leaks, as well as the house for any stains on walls or ceilings. If there's a water stain, there is definitely roof damage that needs repair. Also, check the surrounding ground around your home for missing pieces, like shingles or metal fascia. If there are impressions of dimples on the roof, it may have experienced a hail storm.

If a tree falls on your roof, stay out of the home until a professional takes a look. You can't repair this on your own, so consult a general contractor or roofer with a license. In the case of a tree falling on your home, the damage likely extends beyond the roof.

Research Your Contractors

Unfortunately, there are many scams that exist where pseudo-contractors take advantage of homeowners with little knowledge of what to do after storm damage. Storm damage often demands a prompt response, so there are a variety of scams looking to take advantage of speediness.

Trustworthy contractors will recommend speed in terms of moving and preserving your personal items. Oftentimes, a content pack-out can help them do their job faster, and is more secure and cost-efficient for you.

As a result, it’s crucial to do your homework. Use a contractor who has word-of-mouth recommendation from a trusted source, such as a friend or relative. Regardless of the situation, avoid paying in cash. It's best to have payment records in case of later issues.

Never pay for more than one-third of the job cost up-front, and always get the project specifications in writing. Any contractor demanding significant up-front money or cash payments may attempt to take your money and run.

storm on water

Keep Your Location in Mind

For storm damage precaution, keep in mind your area's common storms. If your area often experiences hurricanes, have materials ready to board up your windows. If hurricanes and tornados are possible, always keep an emergency supply kit readily available. In areas where wildfires are possible, it's very important to remove dying trees and shrubs from your property. They can make a fire grow quickly.

If floods are common in your area, consider looking into flood insurance. Flood insurance typically isn't included in standard home insurance, so it's best to check if it’s a part of your policy. If not, consider adding it.

Insurance can’t replace sentimental items and valuables, so when you know a flood is on the horizon, it’s a good idea to move your belongings rather than risk them becoming damaged. Your repair costs can be significantly less if flood damage is considered for before it occurs, and it will make your life a bit easier during this stressful time.

Show Future Precaution

While it’s not realistic to avoid storm damage entirely in the case of a huge storm, precautions can be made to reduce damage in the future. One method is to conduct a pre-storm assessment, detailing hollow and aged trees, branches leaning over the roof, leaning trees or other potentially dangerous spots that can damage your home during high winds or rain.

After the inspection, remove any dead or damaged tree limbs, prune branches hanging over your home and street, clean your gutters and consult a professional for any dangerous-looking utility lines. These steps will help ensure that, in the case of a storm, you did everything possible to minimize the damage.

 

Restoring your home after storm damage can seem like a daunting task, though properly assessing threats before a storm and tending to them appropriately afterward is very possible with the tips above.

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