When a serious storm makes its way through your area, it can lead to a lot of problems. Sometimes, your home will escape unscathed. But other times, your home will experience enough damage that you have to take quick and decisive action.
As challenging as storm recovery can be, you can take comfort in knowing that others have had similar experiences and found success. This makes figuring out what to do a bit easier. Here is what you need to know about property storm damage and five actions you’ll want to take when a storm hits your home.
What is Considered Storm Damage?
Storm damage refers to any damage to your home caused by a storm. Storms can happen at any time, and they involve a variety of weather conditions, such as heavy rain, high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, hail, ice, and snow. It can be incredibly costly to repair or replace damaged property following a storm, particularly if your neighbors have also suffered damage and require similar services.
5 Actions to Take When a Storm Hits Your Home
Storms in the South can be unpredictable, so it’s important that you understand what to do if you end up in a situation with potential damage to your home. Here are five actions you should take when severe weather strikes.
1. Make Safety Your Priority
Storms can cause so many problems, ranging from irritating to life-threatening. So, safety should always be your utmost priority. Property damage can always be repaired, but you can’t replace the lives of you or your loved ones, so stay mindful of potentially hazardous situations.
Keep an eye out for flooding, downed power lines, potential gas leaks, glass from broken windows, and other hazards. You should approach any situation with extreme care and wait until it’s safe before dealing with potential damage.
2. Inspect and Assess the Damage
Once the storm has passed, it’s time to inspect your home and assess the extent of any damage. Remember that not all damage will be obvious immediately. Keep in mind there might be some hazardous conditions. If you aren’t comfortable doing this inspection, hire a professional to do it for you.
When inspecting the damage, make sure you take photos of everything you see. Your roof is the most susceptible part of your home to storm damage. If a tree limb or an entire tree fell on your roof, you may have some structural damage. Other things to look for include:
- Missing or broken shingles
- Holes in the roof
- Split seams
- Leaks in the roof
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
If you have homeowners’ insurance, you are probably eligible for coverage due to storm damage. You need to document your loss and file a claim, following the insurance company’s instructions carefully.
Your insurance company will likely want to inspect the damage before they authorize repairs. In many cases, you can work with a contractor that will coordinate these efforts on your behalf.
4. Prevent Additional Damage Where Possible
A major storm can open up a hole in your roof. If more storms are on the way, it’s important that you take action to prevent any additional damage.
Once you document the initial damage, make sure you take whatever actions are necessary to protect your home and belongings. This might involve placing a tarp on your roof or boarding up a broken window.
5. Hire a Roofing Company You Can Trust
When you are dealing with storm damage, it’s critical that you work with an established and trustworthy roofing company. Many fly-by-night and incompetent contractors are known for blowing into town just after a storm to “help” with damage claims. These companies are unlikely to get the job done quickly or professionally.
Instead, choose a local company that specializes in roofing repairs and replacement. Just as important, work with a company that handles all communications with your insurance company so you can focus on other things.
Roof Damaged from a Recent Storm? Contact River Region Contracting About Your Repairs
Dealing with roof damage after a storm can be stressful because your home is damaged, and you aren’t sure what businesses are looking out for your best interests. If you are in the Montgomery area, don’t rely on just anyone to do the repairs or replace your roof. Call on a company that is established in the community and will treat you right.
River Region Contracting has more than 30 years of experience in quality roofing repairs, services, and replacements in the Montgomery area. We take pride in understanding and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Contact us today to schedule a free roof inspection to learn more about your options.
