How Can I Repair Storm Damage to My Home?

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

A home swept away by storm water in need of restoration.

Storm damage can occur in the blink of an eye and leave a homeowner confused and displaced, as they now need to restore their home. Calling a storm damage restoration company as soon as possible after the storm has passed in order to begin the restoration process.

The following is an overview of how you can repair your home after storm damage, including an in-depth look at the different types of storms and what storm damage is, how the restoration process works, and whether or not the cleanup and restoration is covered by your insurance. 

What Is Storm Damage?

Any damage that occurs as the result of a storm is considered storm damage. Many different types of storms can create this damage, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and snow storms. Heavy rain, heavy winds, lightning, hail and various other elements can cause damage to a home. For our restoration purposes, wildfires are also considered a type of storm.

A prompt restoration effort is often necessary after a storm. Fire and water damage can create more damage the longer they sit, so quick cleanup is essential in lessening the effects of damage after a severe storm.

Storms can sometimes be identified in advance, which means you and your family can have a plan in place for cleanup after a storm occurs. However, storms are not always predictable. This is when knowing about a 24/7 emergency storm damage cleanup and restoration company comes in handy, so you can get settled back into your home as soon as possible after disaster strikes.

Rejuvenate Your Home 

The main goal of storm damage restoration is to restore your home at the most affordable cost possible. This is done through trying to restore rather than replace items in your home. The beginning of this process is a detailed inspection of the home. Storm damage restoration professionals will assess every part of the home, including foundation, floors, walls, roof, and furniture.

The next step in the restoration process is to board up any severely damaged or sensitive areas of the home so no further damage occurs. This step can also include removing water, smoke, soot, and other elements that--if left undisturbed--could cause more damage.

Allowing a 24/7 restoration service professional into your home as soon as damage has occurred can lessen the overall damage and make the restoration process more efficient.

Removal of Water

With many storms comes water damage. Thunderstorms especially can bring heavy rains, which often cause flash flooding. Heavy winds and lightning can damage roofs as well.

Upon arrival at your home, a restoration specialist will first begin to remove any standing water. This helps to prevent further water damage and prevent mold growth. Removing standing water also can make the drying process quicker. Our technicians will also use specialized equipment such as: 

• Moisture detectors
• Infrared cameras
• Dry vacuum
• Submersible water pumps
• Truck-mounted vacuum units

Places such as under carpet, floorboards, and the inside of walls can trap water, which is why having a professional water removal technician is key in remediating water damage properly. It is not uncommon for experienced water extraction technicians to remove hundreds of gallons of water in the initial stages of the restoration process.

Is It Covered by Insurance?

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover damage by lightning, fire, wind and hail. Some also cover water damage due to flooding. In order to know if you are covered, ask your insurance agent what exactly your policy covers. By understanding what types of damage to your home your homeowner’s policy covers, you can financially plan in case of disaster. Part of this planning can include gathering phone numbers and other essential information of damage restoration companies in order to be able to get a professional out as soon as possible after damage occurs.

Work with the Storm Damage Experts

You can find out more about storm damage cleanup and restoration by getting in touch with our professional restoration experts today. We provide 24/7 service and can get to you as soon as possible after a severe storm damages your home. For more information, give our team at SERVPRO a call today.