Every homeowner should know what to do after storm damage. It’s always best to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Knowing what to do after storm damage now before a storm causes damage can reduce the stress such an event can cause. Knowing what to do after storm damage lets you rest easy knowing you are prepared for anything. Here is a list of things you should do to minimize damage after a storm.
1. If a Room is Flooded, Get Help
One of the key factors to keeping damage contained after storm damage is to act quickly. The goal of knowing what to do after storm damage is to be prepared to respond quickly and take the right steps to reduce damage. After experiencing storm damage, particularly when a room is flooded, swift and appropriate action is critical to mitigate further damage and restore your home.
Before entering a flooded room, prioritize safety. Turn off electrical power to the affected area to prevent electric shock hazards. If standing water is present, avoid contact to minimize the risk of injury or contamination. If the flooding is extensive or poses an immediate threat to your safety, call emergency services. They can provide swift assistance and ensure the area is secure before restoration begins.
Take photographs or videos of the flooded room and any damaged belongings. Contact an emergency flood service to assess and address the water damage promptly. These professionals have the expertise, equipment, and experience to extract water, dry the affected area, and prevent further damage, such as mold growth. Safety should be a priority when a room floods. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Let the experts handle things.
2. Repair Flooding Damages to Your Floor
When your home experiences storm damage leading to floor flooding, prompt and effective action is essential to prevent further issues and restore your flooring. Remember, safety takes precedence when focusing on what to do after storm damage. Turn off the power to the affected area. If the flooding is severe, consider vacating the premises until professionals assess the safety and integrity of the structure.
Flooring contractors specializing in water damage restoration are the go-to experts for managing flooring problems caused by flood damage. These professionals have the expertise and equipment to address various flooring materials and can provide a comprehensive solution to repair and restore your damaged floors. They will employ industrial-grade equipment to extract standing water efficiently.
Once standing water is removed, the professionals will focus on thorough drying and dehumidification. This step is essential to eliminate residual moisture that can compromise the floor’s structural integrity and lead to mold and mildew growth. The contractors will assess the condition of the flooring materials. Depending on the extent of the damage, they will determine whether repairs are possible or if replacement is necessary.
3. Remove Debris from Your House
Storm damage can cause quite a bit of debris in your home. After your home experiences storm damage, one of the immediate priorities is the removal of debris to ensure safety, prevent further damage, and kickstart the restoration process. Before attempting to remove debris, assess the safety of your surroundings. Look out for downed power lines, unstable structures, or other hazards that may pose a risk. If your safety is compromised, evacuate the premises.
Figuring out what to do after storm damage may require contacting emergency services first. Contact emergency services in case of severe storm damage, especially if it involves fallen trees or extensive debris. They can secure the area, address immediate safety concerns, and provide guidance on the next steps.
If trees have fallen on your property or your house during the storm, engage the services of storm damage tree removal professionals. These experts have the equipment and expertise to remove fallen trees safely. They will remove branches and debris, minimizing the risk of further damage and ensuring a swift cleanup process. The restoration process can’t begin until the debris is removed from in and around your house. Starting with a tree removal service is a good place to start.
4. Repair Any Damages to Your Roof
Your roof is a critical system of your home. Roof damage is common after a storm. Add check your roof and gutters to the list of what to do after storm damage. If you suspect roof damage, it’s essential to your safety and the safety of your home that you contact local roofers to inspect your roof.
Prioritize safety when dealing with roof damage. Assess the risk of potential hazards, such as loose or hanging shingles, and avoid walking on the roof until its structural integrity is confirmed. Roofing professionals can comprehensively assess the damage, recommend appropriate repairs, and ensure the work is completed to high standards.
You may notice signs of water damage inside your home; address these issues promptly. Ceiling leaks, water stains, or damp walls indicate that water is penetrating through the damaged roof. Roof damage isn’t always immediately visible. Roofers with experience in residential roof repair can conduct a thorough inspection to identify any hidden or underlying issues that may compromise the roof’s integrity, make repairs, and keep the damage from spreading to the interior of your home.
5. Get Your Heating and Cooling Back to Normal
It can be hard to figure out what to do after storm damage when your HVAC is not working. Whether it’s the middle of the summer or the dead of winter, comfort is key to deciding what to do after storm damage to get your home back in order. After your home experiences storm damage, restoring your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is essential.
It’s best to move with safety in mind. If there’s standing water around the HVAC unit or if you suspect electrical damage, refrain from approaching the system. Contact HVAC contractors who specialize in storm damage assessment and repair. These professionals have the expertise to evaluate the storm’s impact on your HVAC system and can recommend necessary repairs.
Storms can lead to water damage to HVAC systems, affecting components like the condenser, ductwork, and electrical elements. Storms may cause electrical problems within HVAC systems. HVAC professionals are trained to identify and rectify electrical issues, ensuring the safe operation of your heating and cooling equipment. They can do the necessary heating and ac repair to get your system back up to speed, and you can focus on what to do after storm damage to get your house back up to speed.
6. Call an Electronics Technician for the Help You Need
Storm damage is not always flood-related. During a summer thunderstorm, it is not uncommon to experience electrical problems. Electrical problems can occur from a direct lightning hit or a power surge if you lose power, and it is suddenly restored. No matter the cause, you must consult an electrician to repair the damage.
You will notice that safety is a big feature of what to do after storm damage, for good reason. Many homeowners and others are injured after a storm while assessing property damage. Naturally, you want to get repairs underway as soon as possible. However, in many cases, patience is key to your safety. Wait for the professional before touching any electronics you suspect have been damaged.
Individual appliances and electronic devices may be affected by storm damage. An electrical contractor can check the condition of these devices, identify any electrical issues, and recommend repairs or replacements as needed. Storms can impact power outlets and switches, leading to malfunctions or safety hazards. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your electronics and electrical system after a storm. A professional can help.
7. Clean Up Your Yard
The exterior of your home may experience storm damage. Cleaning up your yard is a critical step to restoring its esthetics, safety, and function. Fence builders can help to repair or replace your fence after storm damage. Before initiating any cleanup, conduct a safety assessment of your yard. Look for potential hazards or damaged structures. Prioritize addressing immediate safety concerns.
Begin the cleanup by clearing debris and fallen branches. This not only enhances the appearance of your yard but also reduces the risk of further damage or accidents. Some fence companies may be willing to pitch in with the cleanup efforts to be able to repair the fence. For example, they may be willing to remove a tree from your fence line that prohibits access to the fence.
Common damage that you may find in your yard from storm damage is soil erosion from heavy storm downpours. The erosion may affect the structural integrity of your fence and any outbuildings on your property. A fence company can evaluate and replace fence posts that may have been affected. While doing the yard cleanup, you may want to consider improving your fencing to avoid problems in the future.
8. Prepare For Your Next Storm
What to do after storm damage and cleanup is done can require you to dedicate some time and thought to what you can improve around your home to avoid severe damage from the weather in the future. For example, adding functional shutters to your windows with the help of a shutters company can prevent windows from breaking in the future. Adding a retaining wall in the backyard to keep storm erosion at bay can also be a consideration.
Making positive stormproofing changes now can help you avoid storm damage and the stress and expense that can come with it. Evaluating the areas damaged by the storm can help reveal the changes you should make. If you have a roof problem because of storm damage, during the repairs, ask the roofing contractors what you could do differently to prevent the problem in the future.
Investing in upgrades for your home is a great way to protect your home from future storm damage. If you invest in upgrades now, you can save a significant amount of money down the road. Don’t just clean up and make repairs after storm damage, brainstorm how you can better prepare for the next storm and take action.
9. Know Your Insurance
Don’t wait until the storm hits to learn about your insurance coverage. Typically, when a large weather event is being predicted, insurance companies don’t allow you to make changes to your current homeowner’s policy. It’s essential that you fully read your insurance policy to better understand your coverage and to ensure you don’t need to make any changes.
One of the most frequent pieces of advice you will hear on the topic of what to do after storm damage is to contact your insurance company to file a claim immediately following the storm. While that is good advice, if you are unfamiliar with your policy coverage, you may be disappointed that the event is not covered under your policy. Periodic evaluation of your insurance policy is essential to ensure you have the coverage you need way ahead of the storm. Addressing insurance needs now, will keep you prepared.
Make sure that your policy is up to date and reflects any improvements you make to the property. If you wait until after there is storm damage, it may be too late to protect upgrades. Having the right coverage and understanding the coverage limits will help you get through a storm and the damage that it may cause.
You can’t control the weather, but you can have a plan in place in case the weather causes damage to your home and property. Knowing what to do after storm damage will ensure that you can weather the storm. Learn more about preparing your home and what to do to deal with storm damage today.