If you live in an area with frequent storms, you may be familiar with the procedures that must be followed following a severe storm.
There are some steps and tips that you can use to minimize the damage and prevent secondary damage. These are the steps you should take if you find storm damage at your property.
- Inspect your home
First, you need to walk around the property and look for any damage. You should inspect your roof for damaged shingles and broken gutters. Your roof could be completely or partially blown off. When inspecting your attic be very careful. You may also have substantial water leakage.
Your landscape may be compromised as well as broken windows, doors and fallen trees. Once you’ve assessed all the damage get in touch with your preferred local storm damage contractor right away.
Here are some pro-tips:
- Ensure the safety of your family. Stay outside until help arrives also do not enter your home if the structural foundation has been compromised. This is because your roof or walls could collapse.
- Check for signs of damage to your pipes or water lines. If necessary, close all faucets in your bathroom and kitchen. If you suspect that the waterline is damaged or infiltrated by greywater, do not use the water.
- Broken or damaged objects, such as glass shards or exposed nails, can pose a danger. Wear proper footwear when inspecting outside.
- Avoid water bodies. It could be your flooded basement, or water that has accumulated from outside. Greywater can contain bacteria and other water-borne diseases. A downed powerline can make the water source unsafe to be near. Stay away from the water source and relocate you and your family to a safer spot.
- If you suspect that there is a gas leak, open all windows and doors and contact the authorities immediately.
- Assess and document
Take photos of any damage that you see, and then make sure to have your homeowner’s insurance paperwork. It will be much easier to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance. This is a great way to be proactive. Before you call your local storm damage contractor, keep these important steps in mind. It is also recommended to call your local roofing contractor if you are not sure if your roof has suffered damage.
- Get in touch with your insurance provider
Once your contractor has confirmed that the repairs will exceed your deductible, it’s time to call your homeowner’s insurance and notify them about the incident. Don’t delay in sharing the photos and assessment of the damage. Also y our insurance company will send you your claim number. They will also assign a field adjuster who will come out to assess the damage and start the settlement process to get your home restored back to its pre-storm condition.
- Hiring a professional contractor or repair service company
Choose a contractor who has extensive experience in handling insurance claims. Not only are they experience in insurance mitigation they are also quick, efficient and helpful in reducing stress after a storm damages your home. Many experienced contractors work directly with your insurance company, which ensures that everything goes smoothly.
Be wary of scammers who often ask for full upfront payment, avoid having them restore the damage for you.
- Mitigate Risks Going Forward
In order to mitigate any risk after an installation be sure to use the best roofing contractor, one who uses the latest tools and installation methods.
Are you prepared in case there is another emergency?
- Sandbags are a great investment to stop water from building up or getting indoors. Also to prevent water seepage, you can cover windows and doors with a plastic tarp.
- Check for mold in damp and warm areas a few days following a storm. Have it taken care of immediately. If left untreated, mold outbreaks can pose a danger to your health.
- Install an impermeable structure over your circuit breaker to protect it. This will stop water from leaking into the circuit breaker, increasing the chance of it catching on fire.
- Trim your trees regularly. Landscape service providers can remove trees that are susceptible to falling or being uprooted.
- A high-quality submersible pump is a great investment. It can draw out large quantities of water that might have seeped into your house during storms or heavy rains.
The bottom line
Knowing what to do after storm damage can help you save time and resources. It is important to act immediately in order to not delay the repair and restoration process ,which could impact the structural integrity of your home. All to keep your family safe.
You can now relax. Knowing that you have everything in place for the storm be sure to keep the number of your professional contractors and insurance company handy. Call them as soon as possible after the storm passes.
If you have questions about your insurance related to roof replacement, check out our article:
