Sep 17, 2018
Tackling Storm Damage Repairs
With hurricane season well underway, many homeowners are actively preparing for the next big storm to hit. However, storms can be extremely unpredictable, so it’s important that homeowners include a plan for handling the potential aftermath of a storm in their preparations.
Let’s explore some of the most common types of storm damage and the repairs needed to fix these problems:
1. Flooding
The number one concern for homeowners when a bad storm hits is flooding. Flood damage can range from a few ruined photographs to tens of thousands of dollars in home renovations, which isn’t covered by home insurance — a fact that many homeowners are unaware of.
A common byproduct of flooding is water damage to floors, walls, and ceilings. If left unaddressed, water damage can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and deteriorated sheet rock, which compromises the structural integrity of your home.
After the flooded space in your home has been dried and cleaned, there may be no visible evidence of water damage. However, you should always have your home inspected following a severe flood to ensure there isn’t any underlying flood damage that can cause future problems.
Here are some of the typical signs of water damage you may find after experiencing a flood:
- Warped or discolored surfaces. Yellowish stains, peeling paint, and bubbling wallpaper often indicate water-damaged walls and ceilings. Wooden beams and panels can also become warped or bowed as a result of water damage.
- Structural cracks. Cracking can occur in either the foundation of the home or in other areas where inadequate drainage is common, such as window and door frames. Cracking weakens your home’s structure and allows moisture to enter your home, leading to further damage.
- Musty odor. Excess moisture in your home breeds mold and mildew growth, which can leave a strong, musty odor in the air that won’t go away, no matter how well you clean. Mold should be taken very seriously. As mold grows, it releases airborne spores that can endanger your health and the health your loved ones.
Flood damage can be expensive and daunting to repair, which is why it’s important to act quickly to prevent issues from becoming more severe.
The first step is to drain remaining water and draw the excess moisture from the air. Wet vacuums are usually available to rent from your local hardware store, although homeowners experiencing severe flooding should contact a professional to make sure all water is adequately removed.
Homeowners can also use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air and dry out the walls before mold starts to grow, which can occur as fast as 48 hours after a flood. It’s important to note that dehumidifiers won’t eliminate existing mold, so you may want to hire a professional to inspect your home to make sure your family is breathing clean air.
To prevent flood damage in the future, homeowners should have sump pumps installed in basements and crawl spaces to help drain water in the event of heavy rainfall.
2. Structural Damage
Strong winds are another cause for concern among homeowners during severe storms. It can be stressful trying to sleep through the night with tree branches and other projectiles flinging against the roof or siding of your house, and what starts as nerves can turn into full-fledged panic if one of those objects causes actual structural damage to your home.
Whether it’s a broken window or damaged roof shingles, you’ll want to tackle these storm damage repairs right away. Obviously, broken glass, hanging wires, or any other immediate threat to safety should be addressed first — but you shouldn’t stop there.
Any storm damage that creates a path between the outdoors and the inside of your home should be sealed off as quickly as possible. Here’s why:
- Damp insulation. Loose roof shingles or other roof damage allows moisture to enter your attic and soak into the attic insulation. Damp insulation can easily clump and shift out of place, leaving sections of your attic’s structure exposed. Moisture in the attic can also lead to mold growth in the insulation, which can contaminate the air that circulates throughout your home.
- Access points for pests. Fallen tree branches can cause damage to your roof, windows, and siding that allows pests like mice, raccoons, birds, and insects to make their way into your home. Storm damage to any structural component of your home should be inspected and repaired to prevent unwanted house guests from entering.
3. Downed Electrical Wires
Power lines are often damaged by storm winds, which, unfortunately, can leave you without power for a few days. While it may be tempting to try to fix the damage yourself, keep in mind that sending an email or posting a photo to your social networks isn’t worth putting your life in danger.
Damaged or fallen electrical wires and storm runoff don’t mix well. It’s important to let the professionals safely handle any electrical repairs so you don’t put yourself at risk of electrocution.
If wires are down around your home, reach out to your electrical company to restore power as quickly as possible and
call an electrician to make sure external lines are properly wired to your home.
Homeowners can avoid the inconveniences that power outages bring when they have a generator installed in their home. If you’re a homeowner who already has a generator, make sure your unit is serviced or inspected after it has been in use, especially if it was running for an extended period of time.
CroppMetcalfe is Here to Help with Storm Damage Repairs
Storm damage can be nerve-wracking, but CroppMetcalfe is here to ensure families are able to recover quickly. From dehumidifier installation to attic insulation replacement and breaker and fuse repair, our five-star technicians can make the necessary storm damage repairs to get your home back in working order.
Call 1-877-740-6657 to speak with a member of our team or
contact us online today to schedule an appointment.