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Your Storm Damage Checklist
There's no stopping mother nature. When you are in the path of her destruction, she can cause some serious problems for your home. Fortunately, there are preventative measures that can be taken. Making sure things like roofs, gutter guards, and chimney caps are properly and securely installed the first time around can help make sure you home stays protected when storms hit.
1. Determine the Type of Damage
Determining the type of damage can affect what you look in the aftermath, or even how your insurance claim is processed. The types of damage include water, wind, hail, snow, or ice. Make note of the weather conditions that occurred. For example, if there was golf ball sized hail, be sure to include that in your weather summary and take pictures if you can.
2. Walk the Property
After the storm has passed, and it is safe to go outside, walk around your property. Are there shingles on the ground? Is the siding loose? Are there fallen trees, or any limbs missing? Are there loose or torn gutters? Checking items unattached from the home for damage could also indicate that there may be damage elsewhere that you can't see/reach. If your patio furniture is cracked from hail, it is likely your roof may also be damaged.
3. Check Your Windows and Doors
Are there any cracks or scratches they weren't there before or that have worsened during the storm? Things like sky lights, covered patios, and green houses are also important places to check for cracked or damaged glass. It's beneficial to get it fixed right away; otherwise, the cracks could spread and damage other parts of the door, window, or covering.
4. Watch Your Ceilings
As the days progress, keep an eye out for water damage or leaks that develop on your ceiling. This could be sign of roof damage and can be extremely dangerous when combined with electrical wires in the ceiling.
5. Check Your Crawl Spaces
If you have a crawl space, basement, or other accessible underground areas in your home, make sure there is no pooling of water. If you see pools, puddles, or otherwise unknown sources of water, it could be a sign of flooding or damage to pipes. Immediately removing this water prevents wood rot, mold, and damage to your homes structure.
6. Look for Spider Webbing
No, we're not talking about those intricate silk nets you see in the forgotten corners of your house. But rather, check for holes or dents on the interior and exterior of your home. A dent with cracks radiating around it often means there was a great enough impact to cause significant damage to the structure of your home.
7. Call Trotter Roofing and Gutters
Do you suspect your home was damaged during a recent storm? Give us a call! Whether you have inspected and located the damage, or just want to be sure your home hasn't been affected, it's always best to call a professional.
Trotter Roofing and Gutters is your one stop roofing, gutter, and home improvement specialist. We know exactly what to look for when it comes to storm damage, repairs, and general home updates. While we can't guarantee complete protection against the wrath of mother nature, we can ensure that all services completed by Trotter Roofing and Gutters are done right the first time; giving you peace of mind during a wind or rain attack. Contact us to make an appointment!
We've created a downloadable, printable PDF of your storm damage checklist! Just click the " Download File" button to the right!
