Storm Damage Prevention And Repair Advice For Homeowners

Property damage during a storm is a common worry for many people. Homes are usually the most valuable possession a family has and what they rely on for safety and comfort. Homeowners can take steps to lessen the potential damage and make good choices to ensure their home repairs occur quickly and effectively.

Perform Preventative Maintenance

Prepare for storms by cleaning the roofs and gutters and ensuring any sump pump works properly. Turn the freezer and refrigerator to their coldest temperature for a day before an expected storm. A colder interior protects food a little longer. If the freezer is not full, add jugs of water early enough for them to freeze. The large ice blocks will also keep food safe for longer.

Learn more about how long food stays safe in a power outage to avoid food poisoning. Unplug all appliances before leaving (if evacuating) or as the storm worsens. Unplugging the appliances protects them from power surges when the utility company restores the power supply.

Get Professional Advice

An arborist or landscape service can inspect the trees around the home to remove any they deem unsafe. The professionals can also trim branches that could put the home or other property at risk. A contractor should ensure the yard has adequate drainage to reduce how much water will accumulate around the foundation during heavy rains or flooding.

A storm damage restoration contractor should also inspect the home. The contractor can replace missing shingles or reattach loose siding before severe weather arrives. Their inspections could also reveal cracks or gaps around windows and doors that lead to water damage inside the home.

Check for Damage

Homeowners should wait until the area is safe before inspecting their homes for damage. Fallen trees, downed power lines, broken glass, and boards with exposed nails are common risks. A more dangerous threat to life after a storm is water. Floods cause many fatalities by hiding hazards like pathogens and live power lines. 

Always call a contractor experienced in storm damage repair to inspect after a storm. Not all damage is easy to see, and homeowners may unintentionally overlook some problems. Owners of older homes, for example, may put their health at risk if the damage causes chips in their paint. These chips can expose underlying layers of lead paint and poison the air, soil, and water.

Good storm preparation saves lives and reduces property damage. A few extra steps before and after a storm can lower the cost of all repairs. A professional contractor with experience in storm damage repair will provide the most reliable estimate to reduce insurance claim delays. For more information, contact a company like Meschke Construction, Inc.


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