Dealing With Damage To Your House After A Major Storm

Storms passing through your area can cause significant damage to your home and may require storm damage repair to ensure the house is safe and protected. The type of damage and the amount of it will dictate the repair needed, and often having a contractor assess the house after the storm is the best place to start.

Hail Damage

After a storm that produces large hail stones, your home's roof may need some care. Large hail stones can impact asphalt shingles hard enough to knock the granules off the surface and leave the felt under them exposed to the weather. When this happens, you may see shiny spots on the roof and should have a storm damage restoration contractor inspect the roof to determine if they can repair the shingles in patches or if the entire roof needs repair. 

On metal roofing, the hail can dent the material, making it look terrible, and if the impact is hard enough, it can cause small punctures. Likewise, tile roofing can be broken when impacted by larger hail stones, and cracks can begin to allow water to seep under the roofing materials, causing damage to the roof. 

Wind Damage

High winds could become a problem for your home if you do not prepare the house for them. If the wind is blowing hard enough, it can lift the roofing material, stripping it off the roof, bending gutters, and even damaging older windows and doors. 

In some situations, aluminum and vinyl siding can be pulled loose from the house, and impacts from objects blowing around can impact your siding, causing dents and cracks. The storm damage restoration contractor you are working with can typically patch sections of siding that are pulled loose. Still, having them check the entire house is crucial because there can be small areas with damage that is not as obvious and need repairs.

Water Damage

With storms comes flooding, in many cases. Water damage can be significant if you live in a low-lying area, and floods allow water to seep into your home. In homes with basements, the water can fill the space and cause heating system, water heater, and electrical system damage that will need addressing once the water is removed. 

If you do not have a basement and water gets into the home, you could have significant damage to flooring, walls, and furnishings in your home. Often a storm damage restoration contractor will have to wait until the water recedes to get to your home and start the restoration, so if you can get things away from the water while you wait, you stand a better chance of saving some items. 

The restoration contractor can help with cleaning and silt removal and will let you know what needs replacing to avoid long-term problems, like mold and mildew, in the structure.

Contact a local storm damage repair service to learn more.