Executive Summary
- Wind and storm damage can cause damage to your home or business and its structural integrity in several ways, potentially affecting your roof, walls, and landscaping.
- From reaching out to your insurance company to documenting the damage, there are several initial steps you should take after wind damage occurs.
- A professional service makes the process simpler, providing you with confidence in the best possible wind and storm damage restoration.
Between rains and high winds, storms can inflict considerable damage to property and landscaping, and they’re often unpredictable, which isn’t always great news for your home or business. Wind and storm damage often requires detailed structural and cosmetic repairs. Addressing this damage properly is crucial for preserving the health of your property and preventing additional harm.
Fortunately, knowing how to be both proactive and reactive toward wind damage can make all the difference. This step-by-step guide will cover what you should do to protect and restore your home after experiencing wind or storm damage.
Tips for Storm Damage Restoration
Storm damage restoration must be handled carefully and strategically to avoid further damage and ensure the safety of your property. If you’ve experienced storm damage, then you should take the following steps to begin restoring your property.
1. Assess the Damage After a Storm
Step one to any wind or storm damage restoration is assessing the damage that occurred. That said, only begin your assessment after you know the storm has passed and it’s safe to step outside.
As you inspect the full scope of damage, look for the following:
- Uplifted roof shingles
- Missing roof shingles
- Broken siding
- Broken tree branches
- Exposed power lines
- Basement flooding
- Broken or lost personal items
- Leaking walls or roofs
Because winds can damage roofs and siding and leave your home exposed, water damage is also a common concern after a storm. Be sure to monitor for leaks or areas where moisture may be entering the home so that you can have them addressed as soon as possible.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Many homeowners insurance policies cover repairs for wind damage and damage from fallen trees or debris. Still, it’s always a good idea to verify your coverage and ensure that your policy covers wind damage before a storm hits, especially if windstorms occur regularly in your area.
After you determine the damage done to your home, contact your insurance company to make a claim. Be prepared with accurate documentation of the damage so that you can get the repairs covered. Take pictures of the full extent of the damage and what caused it before beginning any repairs.
If you have to leave your home for a hotel or conduct emergency repairs for safety purposes, keep those receipts for your claim as well. It’s best to contact your insurance company with the full scope of the damage so they understand the full issue. After the storm has passed, they’ll send out an insurance adjuster to assess the damage and determine how much they’ll cover.
If the damage is severe, you may also consider contacting your mortgage servicer. Some companies will provide relief options in the event that you cannot make your monthly mortgage payments.
3. Prioritize Repairs
After you understand the amount of damage that’s been done to your home, you can start prioritizing which repairs must be done first. Wind damage can get worse over time, so if wind starts to weaken an area of your home, it can lead to further damage when a new storm rolls around.
It’s important that you prioritize making major repairs to protect your home from damage. Although every situation is different, you can typically prioritize repairs in the following order:
- Leaks and openings – Immediate leaks and damage to windows or doors that can get worse and cause additional damage should always be addressed first.
- Structural repairs – Roof damage, foundation damage, and wall damage are another crucial priority.
- Landscaping – Landscaping repairs are helpful for removing fallen trees, branches, and other debris that can cause further damage, but extensive repairs can wait until after your home is safe.
- Cosmetic repairs – Repairs that address the appearance of your property can typically wait until after other crucial repairs are made.
- Routine maintenance – After completing all repairs, prepare to have routine maintenance of your property to prevent future damage.
4. Perform Temporary Repairs and Safety Measures
Making temporary repairs can help prevent further damage and ensure your safety if a storm picks back up. These repairs should only address urgent issues to protect you; you should still avoid making any extensive repairs before an insurance adjuster has been able to assess your property.
Some measures you can take for temporary fixes include:
- Securing any loose items on your property
- Removing any debris from your yard or patio
- Covering any damaged windows or areas allowing water into your home
- Cleaning out gutters or downspouts that may be preventing water from moving away from the home
5. Hire Professional Restoration Services
Performing a storm or wind damage restoration on your own can be a significant undertaking. Professional restoration services can offer confidence in the success of mitigating additional damage and conducting full repairs.
Some of the other benefits of hiring a professional service include:
- Their services are comprehensive and often cover water, wind, and storm damage
- They can also often handle additional repairs and services related to storm damage
- They have the protective equipment needed to ensure their safety
- They have the expertise and equipment necessary to address all aspects of the issue
Above all else, you enjoy the benefit of added peace of mind, knowing that the professionals have you covered. Some professional services, like Alpha Environmental, will even work with your insurance company to ensure that your repairs are covered by your policy. We have over 21 years of experience in storm damage cleanup and restoration, providing you peace of mind and confidence in full repairs.
Professional Storm Restoration You Can Trust
After a storm, Alpha Environmental has you covered with professional water, storm, and wind damage restoration to restore your property back to normal.
6. Restore the Structural Integrity of the Property
To ensure the full safety of your property, you must ensure that the building is structurally sound by performing any necessary repairs. The most common structural damages to consider include:
- Water damage can affect the walls and foundation of a building
- Wind damage can tear off roof shingles
- Wind damage and debris can crack or dent your siding
Structural repairs can often be a bit more complex. In some cases, significant structural repairs like foundation work, modifications to load-bearing walls, or roof replacements may require special permits.
Do your research to determine whether your city or jurisdiction has specific laws to follow regarding repairs to your home, as you must ensure they remain in compliance with local codes and building regulations.
Choosing a licensed professional service is the best option for this step. In some cases, it is required by law. A professional service will make the necessary inspections and repairs to ensure your property is structurally sound and that they have the required permits to do the job.
7. Take Preventive Measures for Future Wind Damage
After any repairs for your home are complete, you can begin thinking about how to prevent future damage. Although you can’t control winds and their effects, you can ensure your property is reinforced against the potential effects.
Some preventive measures you can take to avoid future wind and storm damage include:
- Secure any outdoor furniture or belongings in your yard
- Regularly maintain and trim trees and landscaping
- Remove dead trees from your landscaping
- Regularly clean gutters and downspouts
- Reinforce vulnerable areas of your home
8. Final Inspection and Quality Assurance
Once all of the repairs are complete, perform a final inspection to ensure the quality of the work done. A professional service will explain all of the work that they completed and highlight the repairs made so that there is no guesswork.
If you choose a company with a wealth of experience and positive customer reviews, you can enjoy more peace of mind, but you should always perform an inspection to ensure there is no rushed or improperly completed work.
Perform a visual inspection of the repairs that confirms the following:
- All shingles are laid flat on the roof
- There are no large gaps between vents or the chimney
- Windows are fully sealed
- The siding is intact with no cracks or lifting
- Broken or damaged trees are maintained or removed
- There is no cracking in the walls or foundation
If you have concerns about the quality of the work completed, you can contact a company like Alpha Environmental to perform an inspection and ensure all repairs are completed to the highest standards.
Ensure a Reliable Wind Damage Restoration with Alpha Environmental
Strong storms and high winds can have a significant impact on your property. Taking the proper restoration steps after a strong windstorm can be essential for protecting the health of your home or business. Having the right support for storm damage restoration can make a big difference.
At Alpha Environmental, we provide professional wind and storm damage restoration services as well as water damage restoration, addressing all the damage from the storm and completing any necessary repairs. We respond to any emergency, and our response team is available around the clock, ensuring you get the support you need immediately. We’ll perform the cleanup from the storm’s aftermath and handle any related repairs.
Contact us today to receive a free estimate and begin the path to a full wind and storm damage restoration.
