When storm clouds roll in, you should expect some damage to your home. For example, you could expect wind, impact, hail, and water damage in your home. The greater the intensity of the storm, the greater the casualties are to your properties or persons living therein.
Cosmetic damage is easier to deal with, but act fast with more severe problems like a damaged foundation or plumbing leaks. Still, getting your home fixed and in shape is important, especially after stormy seasons. To bring life back into your weather-beaten house, this article lists some things you could do to fix it up after storm damage.
1. Deal with the Most Urgent Repairs First
Depending on where you live, you might have to deal with severe weather conditions every year. For example, Phoenix, Arizona, frequently gets thunderstorms, strong winds, and hailstorms. Sometimes, there are also tornadoes in the area, which could cause all kinds of damage to your roof, lawn, and windows.After such events, you may want to hire water damage restoration Phoenix contractors or professionals in your area to help you fix damages.
When your area’s been hit by severe storms, keep a close eye on these first for the extent of damage done:
- Roofing: The roof should always be intact to prevent rain and outside elements from entering your home.
Tree removal:Any trees that crashedon your house is a pain to get rid of. As much as possible, take them down so you could check any further damage the tree caused. - Tree removal:Any trees that crashedon your house is a pain to get rid of. As much as possible, take them down so you could check any further damage the tree caused.
- Damaged pipes: Repair them right away to prevent leaking seeping into the walls or in your home.
Foundation repairs: The foundation is a key structure to the entire home that literally keeps it together. Make sure there are no cracks by hiring a California leak detection company. - Foundation repairs: The foundation is a key structure to the entire home that literally keeps it together. Make sure there are no cracks
- Debris:Basic cleanup like rocks, soil, leaves, sticks, plastics, and what have you.
Some parts like the patio, walls, windows, doors, and pavements are also more likely to be damaged. You’d have to check your walls for structural damage, and you’d need to check and/or replace your doors and windows ASAP to keep the outdoors, outdoors. All else may need just a quick touch-up.
2. Get Contractors to Examine the Damage
While doing a once-over could help you see most of the damage in your entire property, there are some things you can’t spot. Therefore, you must get some experts in to assess the extent of the damage. Some spots might be dangerous for you to inspect on your own anyway. There could be a leak in your gas lines.In flooded areas especially, it’s possible you could get an infection, andthere’s the risk of electrocution if you’re not careful.
3. Use This Opportunity to Improve Your Home’s Appearance
Since your home’s already been damaged, this is an excellent opportunity for you to update its looks. This way, you could combine the costs of repairs and additional updates you could make. So if you have any ideas how you want your windows, walls, or lawn to look like, now’s the time. For instance, if your roof has incurred some damage, you could hire a roofer or roofing company in Cincinnati to have it repainted or replaced entirely. You could choose metal, insulated panels, solar tiles, or whatever you want. If your yard has been damaged, you might want to find a landscaper and discuss what you could do with your yard. Adding outdoor pieces and more plants could improve the curb appeal of your property.
4. Add Protective Upgrades
Aside from cosmetic upgrades, this is also the perfect time to add protective enhancements to your home. That way, you could avoid encountering any more damage the next time a storm hits.
Here are some investments to help you protect your home from storm damage so you could save money in the long run:
- Switch to sturdier materials
- Look into floodproofing and waterproofing
- Use fire-retardant materials
- Strengthen and fasten the roof
- Improve and clean out the gutters
- Reinforce garage doors
- Stormproof your windows
- Insulate or replace pipes
If you’re not familiar with how to make your house safer, especially during storms, doing research and asking local contractors in your area could be helpful. This way, you’ll know what to add and be ready to handle severe weather conditions in the future.
5. Don’t Forget About Your Drains
Many people forget about their drains most of the time. The lines that go through your walls and your floors might be damaged after strong winds or a thunderstorm. So it’s a good idea to get those checked and repaired before you make any cosmetic upgrades.
The plumbing in the lawn is also equally important because the yard could get flooded after heavy precipitation. Water pooling in your soil could weaken your foundation and ruin your garden. It might also affect the health of the soil and could erode any landscaping you’ve done. So improving your drainage for the entire property matters before the next storm hits.
Plumbing is such a delicate task as you might have to uproot your entire structure just to find where the damage is the worst. In case of damage,keep an eye on the following:
- Cracked and broken pipes
- Leaks
- Clogging
- Sewer backup
- Flooded lawns and basements
Conclusion
Storm damage is a terrible thing to happen to your home. But it’s also your opportunity as a homeowner to improve your property. You could make cosmetic improvements like repainting, using new materials, installing better windows, and landscaping your yard. But it’s still important to do repairs and enhancements that could prepare and strengthen your home for the next storm.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
